Shopping for an ionizer for your basement? You have come to the right place!
The basement is perhaps the most neglected area of any house. While most people use this area for storage purposes, others opt to convert theirs into small dens or entertainment areas.
Regardless, even the most maintained basement has about ten times more pollutants than other areas of the house.
The reason here is the lack of ventilation. Most basements don’t have windows to let fresh air in. Humidity levels are also higher in basements, leading to accelerated mold growth.
If you are worried about the condition of your basement, you should look into getting a good ionizer for your basement. It is a type of air purifier that uses ionization technology to clean indoor air.
However, when it comes to the basement, not every ionizer can deliver the results you desire. You will need a dedicated unit to do a satisfactory job. In this guide, we cover some of the best ionizers for a basement.
Who Needs an Air Ionizer in Their Basement?
While they are great for increasing a home’s overall square footage, being closed off, basements are susceptible to stagnant air. With no air circulation and high humidity, basements become the perfect breeding ground for various microbes.
A good ionizer can help you eliminate these issues. Here’s a detailed account of who needs an air ionizer in their basement:
People Who Own Pets
Pets are the cutest members of any family. But having one is a serious amount of work, especially cleaning up after them. They tend to shed a lot of hair and feathers that pollute the home environment. Removing them is more difficult if they end up in the basement.
That’s why pet owners should have an ionizer in their basement. It will help capture and eliminate all the pet dander responsible for decreasing the air quality of your home.
People Who Use Their Basement for Storage Purposes
Most people choose to use the basement as storage spaces and place all sorts of things inside them. However, because of low airflow, everything starts smelling musty. Sometimes, mold and other fungi start growing. Such people should get a good ionizer to avoid this problem.
People Who Suffer from Respiratory Conditions
Freely floating airborne particles are a health risk for people with respiratory issues. They can trigger allergies, sneezing, or in worst cases:Asthma. Since basement air is usually stagnant, the amount of airborne allergens are also high.
So, if you or your loved one suffers from respiratory issues, you should get an air ionizer in your basement.
People Who Live in Humid Areas
Humid air is not only bad for your health, but it also poses a serious threat to the integrity of your house. Since the basement is the base of your house, you cannot allow the humid air to stay there.
If you live in a region with high humidity, look into getting a good ionizer so you can avoid mold and other high humidity-related issues from ruining your basement.
Best Ionizers for Basements
- The device comes with a heavy carbon filter to eliminate odors
- It features a sleek design that won’t look odd in any decor
- It is equipped with a true HEPA filter for premium performance
- It helps relieve symptoms of respiratory issues
- It does not consume a lot of energy
- It is noiseless even at the highest speed
- The four-stage filtration system delivers cleaner air in no time
- It is equipped with a washable AOC Carbon Filter
- It can remove airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns
What’s in This Buying Guide
Air ionizers have received mixed public reactions. Some people appreciate them for their air cleaning capability, while others condemn them for the potential risks.
In this buying guide, we have explained why installing an ionizer in the basement is a good idea. We have also included a list of recommendations of the best air purifiers with ionizers for basements.
All these units are high in quality and deliver optimum results. The guide also includes a shopping guide and some FAQs to help clear your doubts.
Best Ionizers for Basements
- 1. Best Ionizer for Most Users: Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier
- 2. Best Ionizer for the Money: InvisiClean Aura II Air Purifier
- 3. Best Value: Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com
Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier
Category
Best Ionizer for Most UsersDimensions
19 x 11 x 28 inchesWeight
23 poundsFilters
True HEPA carbon filter IonizerFilter life
9-12 monthsCoverage Area
800 sq. ftPower Consumption
50WAir Quality Indicator
YesWarranty
Lifetime warranty coverage
InvisiClean Aura II Air Purifier
Category
Best Ionizer for the MoneyDimensions
12.34 x 6.25 x 17.75 inchesWeight
9.63 poundsFilters
True HEPA Ionizer Carbon Filter UV LightFilter life
6-12 monthsCoverage Area
up to 1,276 sq. ftPower Consumption
47WAir Quality Indicator
NoWarranty
3-year warranty
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Category
BestValueDimensions
15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inchesWeight
15.4 poundsFilters
Fine Mesh Pre-Filter AOC Carbon Filter True HEPA Filter PlasmaWave Air Cleaning TechnologyFilter life
6-12 monthsCoverage Area
360 sq. ftPower Consumption
70WAir Quality Indicator
YesWarranty
2-year warranty
This is a newer addition to Alen’s already famous BreatheSmart range. It came after a significant amount of time since the last release, but they have clearly made a great comeback with this model.
They have completely revolutionized the original concept by adding some premium features as well as better room coverage and a robust filtration system.
PROS
- The compact and stylish unit comes with a customized front panel
- Available in a variety of color options
- It comes with an unbeatable lifetime warranty
- Suitable for medium to large rooms
- The ionization function releases minimal ozone
CONS
- Lies on the costlier end of the price spectrum
- Heavy weight restricts its portability
Features
- The device comes with a heavy carbon filter to eliminate odors
- It features a sleek design that won’t look odd in any decor
- It is equipped with a true HEPA filter for premium performance
- It comes with an air quality sensor for proper regulation
- It is Sleep Score-certified for being noiseless
Our Review
Alen picked up the best features of all their previous models and combined them all together in the BreatheSmart 45i. It features a sleek and sophisticated appearance that goes well with any interior decor.
It measures 19 x 11 x 28 inches. At this size, it is not the most compact nor the bulkiest unit, yet its higher weight greatly hinders its portability.
You can set it up on a tablebut aesthetically, it looks more appealing when placed on the floor.
It is equipped with a motor-powered fan that draws in the air from the left and right sides of the unit. The air then passes through the filter kit, which cleans the air and rids it of all potentially harmful contaminants. The clean air is then pushed out through the vent on the upper backside.
Along with the filters, it also contains the optional ionization feature that you can use when needed. You can also easily turn it off and on with a switch located on the control panel on top of the unit.
PROS
- The compact and stylish unit comes with a customized front panel
- Available in a variety of color options
- It comes with an unbeatable lifetime warranty
- Suitable for medium to large rooms
- The ionization function releases minimal ozone
CONS
- Lies on the costlier end of the price spectrum
- Heavy weight restricts its portability
Features
- It helps relieve symptoms of respiratory issues
- It does not consume a lot of energy
- The four-stage filtration system helps eliminate all pollutants from the air
- It is noiseless even at the highest speed
- You can choose between four fan speeds – low, medium, high, and turbo
Our Review
Choosing this device for your basement guarantees cleaner air for you to breathe in. It has a powerful four-in-one filtration system that enables it to eliminate all sorts of airborne particles like dust; pet dander, pollen, mold spores, germs, and other microbes.
You also get to choose between four fan speeds. Yet regardless of the speed, the unit is almost noiseless. Even at the highest speed, it won’t become a distraction.
It is one of the most energy-efficient units out there. At its lowest speed, it only consumes 3W of energy, while at the highest speed, the power consumption goes up to 47W, which is also not very high.
It has a built-in timer function that causes it to shut down after eight hours of continuous usage. The control panel is located on the top and is quite easy to navigate through.
You won’t have any difficulty while using this machine, yet if you run into any problem, it comes with a three-year warranty and satisfactory technical support to help you out.
Winix is a known and respected name in the home appliance market. Founded about 50 years ago, the company has managed to make a mark for itself with high quality, durable, and reliable products that serve users for years.
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier made waves in the air purifier market with its smart appearance and improved performance.
PROS
- The unit is well-built
- Energy Star rated for efficient performance
- Equipped with a washable AOC Carbon Filter
- It has an additional turbo mode for high-speed performance
- Features a sleep mode and timer function
CONS
- Remote control lacks a backlight
- Available in black color only
Features
- The four-stage filtration system delivers cleaner air in no time
- It is equipped with a washable AOC Carbon Filter
- It is equipped with a washable AOC Carbon Filter
- It can remove airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns
- It features an auto mode that adjusts fan speeds
- The air quality sensor monitors the air and displays them on the digital display
Our Review
The Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier caught our attention with its clean design. It is boxy and rectangular in shape with a charcoal grey body. The control panel conveniently sits on the top of the unit.
While it lacks a digital display for air quality reports, manufacturers have cleverly used LED light to denote it.Red light means poor quality, orange means fair, and blue light means the air quality is good.
The air out vent is slightly towards the backside of the device. Overall, the design is neat and works well with most spaces.
It is an almost unbeatable unit for its air purifying performance. Where most units claim to remove most particulate matter from the air, this device removed 99.99% of measured air particulates in our test. It is all because of its four-in-one filtration system.
It utilizes a fine mesh pre-filter supplemented by a true HEPA filter. The machine also has a carbon filter for odor removal and PlasmaWave Air Cleaning Technology to eliminate all the harmful germs and bacteria.
All of these technologies combine together in this single unit, making it a top choice for your basement.
Ionizers for Basements: Buying Guide
How is an Ionizer Different from the Usual Air Purifiers?
There are two types of ions in our environment – positive and negative. Positive ions are far more common, and their effects include fatigue and grumpiness. In fact, they are what you feel in the air of your basement.
On the other hand, negative ions have a reinvigorating effect on our bodies, making us feel fresh. An ionizer uses electricity to produce negative ions and releases them into the air. These negatively charged ions attract positive ions on airborne pollutants to remove them.
Unlike traditional air purifiers that use filters to trap air contaminants, ionic air purifiers charge the air themselves, which makes pollutants stick to the nearest surface they find.
Some units also have collector plates that gather all the debris. Once they are full, you can easily wash and replace them. The air feels fresh because the pollutants are no longer floating around with it.
Why Buy an Ionizer for Basement Rooms Over the Usual Air Purifier Kinds?
While usual air purifiers like HEPA purifiers are great for improving indoor air quality, when it comes to the basement, an ionizer is the way to go. Here’s why you should buy an ionizer for over usual air purifier kinds for your basement:
Restricted Airflow
Basements are enclosed spaces with limited airflow. They are usually windowless, which means there is little access to fresh air. That’s why the air quality here is quite low and the area tends to remain dusty and smell musty.
Investing in an ionic purifier can really help you tackle the situation. It will charge the air around the basement and eliminate airborne pollutants to provide cleaner air for you to breathe in.
Higher Number of Contaminants
When compared to the rest of your house, the basement has the highest number of air contaminants. If you use a usual air purifier model, its filters will become dirty and clogged sooner. This means you will need to replace the filters more often so the machine can perform optimally.
But if you decide to use an ionizer, it will clean the air without the extra expense of constant filter replacement.
High Humidity
Humid air has adverse effects on almost everything it comes in contact with. The same is the case with the usual filter-based air purifiers. Their filters are not designed to handle high humidity levels.
You need to use a dehumidifier for basements along with traditional air purifiers to achieve desired results. HEPA filters, in particular, can actually become damaged if the air is too humid.
However, it does not significantly affect the performance of an ionizer, so you can easily use it in your damp basement.
What to Look for in an Ionizer?
Air ionizers faced tremendous backlash because of the health risk they pose. However, if used properly, an ionizer air purifier is your best bet for clean air in the basement. Here are some features to look for in an ionizer:
Power Consumption
Since these devices use electricity to generate negative ions, you must keep an eye out for a device that won’t be a burden on your energy bills.
Fortunately, you can find numerous energy-efficient units, some of which are actually Energy Star rated for power consumption. So, we suggest you try to purchase one of these to save on your energy bills.
Coverage Area
The coverage area of the device also matters. If you have a large basement, a device with a small coverage area won’t be able to make a noticeable difference.
And you should also not use an ionizer with a larger coverage area in small basements since this will result in a higher concentration of ions being released into the air. It’s better to measure the square footage of your basement beforehand so you can purchase a unit accordingly.
Collection Plates
Some ionizers simply release negatively charged ions to interact with air pollutants and stick to nearby surfaces as a fine layer of build-up. Others have dedicated collection plates that attract the ions back into the device, so all the debris sticks to them.
When these collection plates are full, you can remove them to wash and put them back for future use. If you want to avoid cleaning the room afterward, choose an ionizer with collection plates.
Filters
While ionizer technology is great at handling microparticles, it is not much effective on larger particles like pollen, dust, and other allergens.
That’s why you should look for an ionizing air purifier that has additional filters to clean the air and swift away the particulates. It’s best to look for a device with a HEPA filter as it can trap the smallest of particles easily.
Price
One of the most important considerations in an ionic air purifier is its price. Originally being quite expensive, the technology is now more affordable. You will find numerous affordable air purifiers with ionization capability. The goal is to find the best model that falls within your price range.
Limitations
Air ionizers gained a reputation for producing ozone as a by-product. However, the technology they use in air purifiers these days is much more sophisticated than the one used to before. Yet there are some limitations of using an ionizer in the basement such as:
- They cannot address all airborne particles, especially larger ones
- Sometimes they produce a foul smell which reduces air quality rather than increasing it.
- They create low levels of ozone which can be harmful
- Units without collection plates leave behind a fine layer of dust on every surface
- They can only address airborne pollutants
Cleaning and Maintenance
Because of lower airflow, basements usually have the worst air quality inside the house. Placing a good air purifier with an ionizer in it can significantly improve the air quality down there. It will also inhibit the growth of different fungi.
However, you must take special care of your device in order for it to perform optimally. Here’s what cleaning and maintenance of an air-cleaning ionizer involve:
Place the Unit Properly
If you want your ionizer to address the air quality issues in your basement, you have to make sure you place it in the right spot.
Never place it up flat against a wall or behind an object. Doing so will restrict the ion emission and airflow to the device, affecting its performance. It is better to place it a few feet away from everything, so nothing hinders its ion emission process.
Clean the Ionizer
Ionizers tend to collect a considerable amount of dirt, especially around the emitter plates. And if your device has collection plates, they will also need cleaning from time to time.
Carefully check the device after every use and clean it when it’s needed. Also, check the collection plates for build-up. If they seem full, carefully take them out and wash them to remove debris. Dry and reinstall carefully.
Check the Filters Regularly
Just as the collection plates collect debris, the filters also trap contaminants to provide you with cleaner and better-quality air to breathe in.
However, to maintain this quality, you should regularly check the filters to make sure they are not dirty. While you can wash a reusable filter, filters like a HEPA filter need a replacement. Check their condition and act accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tell if an ionizer is working?
An ionic air purifier is generally quite easy to operate.Sometimes, it can leave you unsure of whether it is actually working or not. If you want to ensure your device is working properly, here are some things to check.
They tend to collect dust and fluff on their emitter plates. So, you can monitor the amount of build-up to tell if the machine is working or not, or you can also check the collector plates.
You can also use a chemical air quality testing kit to determine this. Conduct the first test before switching on the device. Record the results and turn it on.
After 24-hours, conduct the second test and compare the results. If the results are the same or worse, the device is not working. If the results are better, the device is working fine.
You can also use a digital air quality monitor for this purpose. Make a note of the reading before turning the ionizer on. Check the monitor after some time and compare the readings.
A better reading means your ionizer is working well, and the same or worse reading means there is some problem with your machine.
Is ionized air safe to breathe?
Under normal circumstances, ionized air does not pose a significant threat. However, if you or your loved ones suffer from respiratory issues such as allergies or asthma, it is advised to stay away as it can aggravate the condition.
Is there a smell in Ionized Air?
No, ionized air does not have any particular smell. However, if you sense a metallic odor while the machine is in use, you have a problem.
A distinct metallic smell, like the one you get around metallic utensils, coins, and railings means your unit is releasing ozone which is harmful to your health. Immediately turn off the unit and call experts.
Final Verdict: What is the Best Ionizer for Basements?
That’s about everything you should know about an ionic air purifier or ionizer. After all this discussion, we found the Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier as our top pick for the best ionizer for a basement.
In the second position stands the Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier for its superior air cleaning performance.
Meanwhile, InvisiClean Aura II Air Purifier offers you the best value for the money with its powerful performance and portable design.
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
