Air Purifier Reviews

Overview

If you are dealing with allergies then a Honeywell 2ccleaner air hepa purifier is best for dust and pollen. However HEPA air purifiers and their filters are often overpriced.

SHE OVERPAID…

Joan called me one day and said she bought a air hepa purifier for . She asked me how I felt about it.

“It’s a good value, but did you look at the HEPA filter replacement costs?”

Joan replied “No”.

“A HEPA filter has to be replaced usually every 4-6 months. Are you sititng down?”.

“Yes”.

“The cost of the filter is 120 bucks. So this will cost you about 250 a year to operate!”

I’ve seen this s happen all the time.

Why So Expensive?

It’s not manufacturing the filter that costs money – they are inexpensive to make. It’s simply a matter of greed. Some companies make most of their money on replacement HEPA filters, and consumers can often spend more for filters within 2 years than they did for the purifier itself.

Once you’ve bought an air purifier (The honeywell 2ccleaner air hepa purifier is not the only overpriced one) then when it comes down to replacing the filter you’re stuck either 1) finding one on sale 2) paying full price or 3) selling it and buying one with less expensive replacement filters.

Where The Air Purifier Money Is

Air Purifier Makers figured out what computer printer makers knew a long time ago. The money is not in the original purchase but in the backend purchases. This also true for automakers.A small ink (or laser) cartridge for 30-80 cost about 2.00 to make. Auto tuneups for 200.00 (parts) cost on average 42.00.

HEPA filters can cost the manufacturer on average 5.75 and are sold for 50-70.

Check Replacement Costs Before You Buy

Make sure you include replacement costs into your search for an air purifier. the link below shows the filter prices of the top brands.

2ccleaner air hepa purifier filter comparison costs

Viatek’s Ionic Wind Air Purifier Cleaner (with Night Light) is a small simple ionizer. There are several good things about using an inexpenisve plug-in like this, and several downsides to them as well.

I’ll start by explaining what a negative ionizer is, an “ionic” machine, and then we’ll cover the pros and cons. I started buying negative ionizers and ionizers like this as a young boy because of their reported benefits for asthma.

Viatek cleverly gave this model a name very close to “ionic Breeze Air Purifier” model which was highly popular before it ran into problems when it created ozone. In fact you can think of it as a midget ionic breeze air purifier.

What Are Ions & Ionizers ?

If you watched the video above then you now know that negative ions, ionizers, ionic, and ozone can all mean completely different things. Most “ionic” (almost the same as electrostatic) machines – including the Oreck xl air purifier and the ionic breeze – use positive and negatively charged plates to clean the air.

Follow the link below (click on the image) to read the reviews on this model:

How It Works

The Ionic Wind Air Purifier is a “plug in” air purifier that collects some airborne particles with its electrostatic cleaning technology. This simply means that it has charged plates to attract positive and negatively charged pollutants.

It has a two speed little fan that pulls the air in past the electrostatic stainless steel grid. It has a slide out stainless steel grid (plates) that is easy to clean. Just wipe the grid once a week. I’m not sure if it is washable but if you wash it make sure you let it dry first to prevent shocks.

Features and Specs

The Ionic Wind Air Purifier Claims to:

* Reduces Pet Odors, Kitchen Odors, Smoke

* Cleans the air while you sleep

* Slide out stainless steel grid for easy cleaning

* Simply rinse or wipe clean – No filters to replace ever!

* Soft Glow LED Nightlight

Conclusion

Something this small is probably good for a bathroom to keep odors down. I’m not sure if it produces any ozone but that would be my main reservation.

For 10 dollars it would take some of the pollution and odor out of your home.

 

Overview

The Rainbow air purifier is an ozone based purifier which will eliminate mold, smoke, and odors. For mold I haven’t seen anything better. But if you have allergies or asthma I wouldn’t recommend this model. Ozone does little, or nothing, for pollen or dust by itself. Rainbow Air Purifiers are very similar to Ecoquest Ozone air purifiers except for appearance and construction. Of course the price is also half or more of the Ecoquest brand, probably because the Ecoquest is an MLM product.

Ozone will remove offensive odors caused by tobacco, smoke, urine, pets, mildew, diapers, formaldehyde and other chemical fumes. You might have to replace the ozone plates every 4-9 months. The cost is 50.

The dangers of Ozone to the lungs, and how ozone works, is covered in the video below.

The Dangers of Ozone Generators

Pros & Cons

Pro’s

1 – Great way to eliminate mold, smoke or odor

2 – Low maintenance costs

3 – Covers 750 sq. ft. or more (ozone goes out into the room)

Con’s

1 – Can damage/irritate sensitive lungs

2 – Won’t help remove much dust, pollen, or hair

3 – Won’t kill viruses or bacteria like UV

Specs and Tech

Rainbow air purifier

Retail Price: 

Technologies: 1

Square Footage: 750 SQ. Ft.

Replacement Plate Cost: 50-60

Yearly Costs: 50

Decibel Level: N/A

Warranty – 2 years- parts and labor

Number of Speeds – Variable

Dimensions : 12″ length x 9″ wide x 7″ tall

Weight: 12 Lbs.

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies: (of 10) 1

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 1

3. Immune Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 1

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke)9

5. Longevity/Quality 9

6. Noise Levels N/A

7. Ease of Use 9

8. Warranty 4

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) n/a

10. Price Value 4

Score: 43 = Fair

Conclusion

If mold, smoke or odor is a big problem then this durable model would fit the bill. If you have allergies or asthma, I’d run for the hills because of the ozone problem.

Better yet look over the comparison chart via the link below.

Rainbow Air Purifier Comparison Chart

OVERVIEW:

Someone asked me about the Air Tiger Ozone Generator which uses UV light to generate ozone for hydroponic and indoor plants. The benefits of using an ozone generator in your greenhouse

includes removing odors from mildew, insecticides, mold, etc. It will also sterilize grow areas. It also claims to inhibit spider mites inside greenhouses, but I’m not sure whether that is

from the Ozone harming them or the UV light itself which mites do not like.

Ozone has long been used for air purification. Ozone travels out into space and hence can easily treat large areas as the tiger does (5000 sq.ft.). While UV bulbs can be used to generate

Ozone, other forms of ozone machines (non-UV) are more effective and do not need replacement as the Air Tiger ozone generator does. You can find some Chinese brands that use timed ozone.

Air Tiger Ozone Generator Dangers

The downside of Ozone, as seen in the video below, is that high levels or repeated exposure to humans and pets can irritate lungs and airways. This is

especially true with asthmatics and allergy sensitive people. You may want to time the use of ozone so no one is in the area when it is being used.

Pro’s and Con’s

Pro’s

1 – Uses ONLY .67 amps

2 – Easily cleaned and serviced

3 – Easily adapted to existing
duct work

4 – One year warranty

5 – Will work on odors effectively

Con’s

1 – Expensive

2 – Can irritate lungs in small areas

3 – Not as effective as ozone generators which don’t use replacement bulbs

4 – replacement bulbs are expensive

More Info

The Air Tiger can be installed into ductwork and uses little electricity. The nice thing about UV ozone generators is that they don’t use a fan, which reduces electricity

cost.

The smell of ozone is apparent, although many people like myself like the “hospital-like” cleanliness of the smell. Ozone is naturally occurring in nature, and the smell of ozone

is apparent after a lightening storm which creates ozone in abundance.

Conclusion

Ozone is a very viable, low-cost way for controlling odor, smoke, and mites. When used in moderation and proper levels it will keep your greenhouse healthier and smelling

better.

Most of the online reviews of the Air Tiger reflect well on it.

Air Tiger Ozone Generator and Other Ozone Machines

Overview

In this review we’ll explain the downfall of the Air Breeze Ionic Purifier Silent model. While it’s no longer available for sale (in it’s original version) many other ionic type air purifiers have taken it’s place. The original was removed from TV by the Federal Trade Commission several years ago because of ozone dangers. While the infomercial made the terms “Ionic Breeze” and “Breeze ionic” synonymous with “purifier” the ionic type is really just one of 10 types of air purification.

Sharper Image went belly-up because the Ionic Breeze infomercial was the only thing paying for the Sharper Image stores. Searching for “Air Breeze Ionic Purifier Silent” and you’ll find a website selling a different model under the Ionic Breeze name but it’s not the original model.

Silent Claims

The Ionic Breeze infomercial said “It’s Silent”, and “Runs on pennies a day”. Here’s why:

1. Because it has no fan, and hence no motor, the ionic breeze used whatever natural air flow happens in the room. With no motor it doesn’t do much to clean the air. It simply counts on the negative ions (and ozone) to kill odor.

2. Without a motor it’s true it runs on pennies a day.

How It Cleans

Only 1 stage of cleaning:

Washable Plates Also called truman cells these washable ionic plates attract + and – particles from the air. Good for soot and smoke. But because dust and pollen has very little charge I wouldn’t recommend it for pollen or dust.

Pro’s and Con’s

Pro’s

MISSING 1 TO 6

7- Portable, and uses little power – Energy efficient

Con’s

1 – No HEPA. Needs HEPA to help pollen and dust.

2 – Generates ozone (harmful to lungs)

3 – No help for germs, bacteria, or viruses

4 – With no fan it moves very little air

5 – Some complain that the red light is too bright for sleep

6 – Plates need cleaning every 4 to 5 days

9 – It can create a black wall effect if left too long in one place.

10 – Sparking and cracking noises may develop when plates are dirty

Final Thoughts

I don’t recommend the Air Breeze Ionic Purifier Silent Model. It is not available new or for repairs.

Watch the reviews and see the comparison chart on this site for my suggestions.

Air Breeze Ionic Purifier Silent Comparisons

The line of Vornado air purifiers are produced in a factory from China. You’ll notice in an Amazon search for “Vornado” that they also sell fans, humidifiers, and purifiers.

Reviews are mixed, including several that comment that vornado air purifiers “caught on fire” (although I don’t believe that is a common occurrence). They are sold in stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond.

The patented Vornado technology to circulate air in a “vortex” is a bit of hype, and makes me think they stole it from the Dyson vacuum concept.

Pro’s and Con’s

Here is a list of pro’s and Con’s which are a broad sweep of their line of purifiers:

Pro’s

1) – Inexpensive

2) – Easy to find in stores and online

3) – easy to use

4) – Includes HEPA for allergies

Con’s

1) – expensive replacement filters

2) – Small square footage

3) – Noisy fan motors

4) – Questionable warranty policy

Specifications and Technologies

Vornado AQS500

Retail Price: 

Purification Technologies:2

Square Footage: 324 SQ. Ft. (but probably half that effectively)

Replacement Filter Costs:22.00 (every 6 months)

Yearly Costs: about 50

Warranty – 5 years

Number of Speeds – 3

Notes: Sold in local Bed Bath & Beyond

“Vortex technology”- said to circulate air further – ducts or vents at bottom bring in air from both sidesand exits through a series of curved louvers that impart a circular motion to the airstream at the top.

Remote control, timer setting for both delayed off and on

Change filter indicator

Nothing in it to emit ozone

The dimensions, 9.7″ H x 19.7″ W x .9″ D, are the same as a standard 10 by 20 one inch furnace filter

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 2

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 6

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 1

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 6

5. Longevity/Quality 5

6. Noise Levels 3

7. Ease of Use 10

8. Warranty 8

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) 5

10. Price Value 6

Score: 52 = Fair to Good

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a small room air purifier to reduce allergies, and you have a limited budget, then a Vornado would be a reasonable choice. SEE THE COMPARISON VIA THE LINK BELOW

 

Confused about the Heaven Fresh Naturopure looking and sounding like the Airpodcleaner, the Intellipro, or the Alive Air Purifier? While the looks are largely the same there are some important differences.

The 380 sells for , the 380A sells for , and the Alive Air sells for with free shipping. But each have different motors and electronics behind the appearance.

Heaven Fresh is a successful  company with air Purifier Distributors in many countries around the world. They carry a line of ionic air purifiers and many other Chinese made health products

The Naturopure is the earlier version of the 7 stage air purifier made in China with HEPA, Carbon, UV, Tio2, Pre-filter, electrostatic, and negative ion.

NOT SOLD IN CALIFORNIA DUE TO OZONE

As of this date the Naturopure and the Intellipro cannot be sold in California due to the Ozone regulations. However the Alive Air purifier is approved in California.

I was not able to determine why Heaven Fresh has not received this certification.

Same As Intellipro

The Naturopure HF380 sold on their site and on Amazon as the HF380A. However both models are really the older intellipro also sold by Airpodcleaner which is also the same as the Intellipro model sold by surroundair.

The 7 stage Heaven Fresh Naturopure HF380 Air Purifier is purchased through the Surroundair Company for Heaven Fresh in the US and Canada. So while surround air sells it as the intellipro, they license Heaven Fresh as a Distributor.

The Naturopure, Surround Air, Airpodcleaner and Alive Air are all made in China.

Heaven Fresh Naturopure 380A

Here’s where things get interesting…

The Heaven Fresh 380A  is really just the IntelliPro Air Purifier with the faceplate of the Alive Air Purifier. HF is simply capitalizing on the success of the Alive Air Purifier to make theirs look the same. The factory allowed them to buy a few faceplates to put onto the Naturopure.

However behind the faceplate the Alive Air Machine is a very different machine than the 380A.

Heaven Fresh vs. Alive Air ?

The Alive Air Purifier was a re-design of the intellipro model. But while similar in it’s air purifier stages, it has several differences:

1) Advanced Motor – the Alive Air a re-designed motor capable of running 100,000 hours or 24/7 for 11 years (perhaps 1/3 longer than the intellipro or Naturopure).

2) 5 Year Warranty – The Heaven Fresh has a 3 year warranty and the Alive Air is 5. No doubt this is due to the revised motor

3) Square Footage – The Alive Air Claims 865 square feet, the Heaven fresh Naturopure 650.

4) Remote Control – The Alive Air Machine has a remote control (which is nice if you want to turn off the light or the ion/uv function at night).

 

The Aprilaire 5000 Air Cleaner is a fine unit, and a good company from what I know of it. They make good products. But with that said I’m going to be bold here, take a deep breathe, and venture into an area I have taken heat for (pun unintended) and that is to adress whether a cleaning or air purification system (like the Aprilaire 5000 cleaner) is better than putting a portable air cleaner or purifier in each room. The following Q&A will shed some light on my opinion and research

Q & A Regarding Whole House Cleaners

Q: Heating and ventilation systems in most homes are designed for what?

A: Moving Heat and Cool air.

Q: Air moves in what motion or direction in a room?

A: It circulates. (moves in a circle)

These answers address the problem I have had with whole house units – because the air “circulates” the strength of air movement into a room from the vents is insufficient for proper cleaning. The vent air doesn’t push and the recirculating vents don’t pull air back at a strong enough rate (CFM) to clean the air. The vents also tend to push/pull it in a “non-circular” path. So for those with allergies and asthma you’re not going to get a true changeover of air 3-4 times an hour as I (and Doctors) recommend.

The only exception I have seen is if the house is custom-designed or built specifically for air purification with separate “zone-base” fans. If you’re counting on a single whole house fan or blower motor it will be energy inefficient if it’s on all the time. And if the heat or a/c is off (with the blower off) then of course you’re not cleaning the air at that time either.

However I will say that the filters on the heating or cooling system are important – to collect dust and soot from the furnace before air goes back into the room. I’m just saying that the whole house approach to cleaning isn’t the best approach from a financial as well as an effectiveness standpoint

My Experience With A Whole House Cleaner

I had a whole house air cleaner a number of years ago where I lived (It wasn’t an aprilaire 5000 air cleaner, but the technology was the same) and still found enough dust in the room that I needed an air purifier in the room as well.

The air purifier I had was on all the time, unlike the air conditioner, and used less electricity than running the whole house fan all day.

Note: I use an air cleaner in the rooms I use – just my office, living room, and bedroom – the rooms I spend the most time in.

Air Conditioning Depletes Healthy Negative Ions

I always have some form of negative ionizer (usually inside the air purifier) in my rooms because air conditioning does deplete the air of the healthy ions. Negative ions can improve breathing and even energy levels. It’s a big reason why we feel more alive in the country than in the city or indoors where the ion levels are low.

I started using these when I was young and had bad asthma and allergies, and it helped.

Conclusion

Whole House is a great idea, but just doesn’t clean the air the way I want it cleaned.

 

OVERVIEW

Should you get an ionic air purifier? In this air breeze ionic purifier review we’ll explain the downfall of the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Air Purifier. While it is no longer sold (in it’s original version) there are many other ionic air purifiers that have taken it’s place. The original was pulled off TV by the FTC several years ago for ozone dangers. While the infomercial made the terms “Ionic Breeze” and “Breeze ionic” synonymous with “purifier” ionic is really just one of the 10 types of air purification.

Sharper Image went bankrupt because the sales of the Ionic Breeze by infomercial was the only thing supporting the Sharper Image stores. Searching for “Air Breeze Ionic Purifier Review” and you’ll find a site selling several different models under the Ionic Breeze name. But these are not the original mold sold on infomercial.

If you don’t know the 10 technologies, of which ionic is one, consider watching the video on the Home Page which explains the other 9. You might also enjoy the “Top 10 Air Purifier” videos via the menu on the left.

Deceptive Claims

As with any ionic purifier (and also Oreck says this) the Ionic Breeze infomercial said “Never have to change filters”, “It’s Silent” and “Runs on pennies a day”. However:

1. The washable ionic plates (charged plates) are very ineffective for gathering dust and pollen.

2. Silent? Because it has no fan motor the ionic breeze depended on natural air flow in the room. Without moving very much air it doesn’t clean very much air. However the negative ions and ozone would go out and kill odor.

3. It did run on pennies a day because there was no motor.

Stages of Cleaning

There is really only one stage of purification:

Ionic Plates (also called truman cells, or electrostatic). – The washable ionic plates attract + and – particles in the air like a magnet. At least those molecules that also have a charge like soot and pollution. However dust and pollen have very little charge and hence the ineffectiveness of ionic for allergies.

Pros and Cons

Pros

1 – No replacement filter

2 – Kills odors and smoke.

4 – Easy to use.

5 – If you forget to clean the plates, a red light shines

6 – Plates are sturdy

7- Portable, and uses little power – Energy efficient

Cons

1 – No HEPA. Needs HEPA to help pollen and dust.

2 – Generates ozone (harmful to lungs)

3 – No help for germs, bacteria, or viruses

4 – With no fan it moves very little air

5 – Some complain that the red light is too bright for sleep

6 – Plates need cleaning every 4 to 5 days

9 – It can create a black wall effect if left too long in one place.

10 – Sparking and cracking noises may develop when plates are dirty

Conclusion

I don’t recommend ionic machines like the Ionic Breeze or the Oreck. They are overpriced in my opinion and don’t clean the air very well.

Watch the reviews and the comparison chart on this website for better suggestions.

 

Overview

Before offering my full Ionic Pro Ionic Air Purifier reviews I have to warn you about the ozone problem with them. You see I bought my 1st ionizer air purifier back in the 1969 hoping to relieve asthma and severe allergies. Did it work? It did the reverse: It brought on an asthma attack.

This problem was why the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze model was removed from the airwaves and went bankrupt. Any guess why the Ionic Pro Ionic Air Purifier creates ozone?

(Hint: It’s basically the exact same design as the Ionic Breeze)

There are some applications and times I would recommend getting one however – you can find that in the pros and cons and in my conclusion.

What’s ionic Anyway?

Ionic purifiers use positively and negatively charged washable “plates” or grids to attract negative and positively charged pollution. The “plate” style of ionizers can, as a byproduct, create dangerous levels of ozone. Too much ozone can irritate or damage lung tissue and airways. However most consumers don’t know the difference between ions and ozone, and that has caused a lot of confusion.

Some ionic machines create ozone, and some don’t. Generally the bigger the plates the more ozone is likely. Perhaps the important major point about ionizers is that they are not particularly good for pollen and dust. The plates simply do not work well since most dust and pollen does not have very much electrical charge. The static electricity from the plates, which also creates the zapping noise often complained about, however will attract some of the dust.

REVIEWS

The link below to Amazon reveals Ionic Pro Ionic Air Purifier reviews from consumers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

1 – Inexpensive To Buy

2 – Inexpensive to maintain

3 – Will remove smoke and odor

Cons

1 – Without HEPA not good for allergies, dust, pollen

2 – May harm lungs, especially sensitive lungs

3 – No technology for germs, bacteria, viruses, etc.

Specifications and Technologies

Ionic Pro Air Purifier

Retail Price: 177.00

Purification Technologies: 1

Square Footage: 500 SQ. Ft.

Replacement Filter Costs: 0

Yearly Costs: 15

Decibel Level: N/A

Warranty – None

Number of Speeds – 0

Filters – 0

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 1

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 1

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 0

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 5

5. Longevity/Quality 4

6. Noise Levels 9

7. Ease of Use 9

8. Warranty 0

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) N/A

10. Price Value 3

Score: 32 = Poor-Fair

Conclusion

The only instance when I would recommend this air purifier is when you have to remove smoke or odor and do not want the added cost of replacing filters.

I would stay far away from it if you have asthma because of the ozone potential, and save your money if you have allergies to pets, dust or pollen. Without a HEPA filter it simply won’t remove the allergens in the air.

 

Water: 1 of 10 Technologies

Water as a Filter

I remember the day my wife had a Rainbow Vacuum salesman in our home. I was a “goner” when I saw how good it worked. The rainbow, which uses water as its filter, sucked the dust out of the air, the hair and dust from the carpets, and did a fine job. It also sucked 1200 out of my wallet to pay for it!

Water works pretty well as a filter for dust, pollen, and dirt in the air and we would use the rainbow water vacuum as a way to quickly clean the air on occasion.

Air Purifier Water Filter Models

You won’t find any name brand water filters (except for the Sanyo model below)because of the downsides I mentioned. But here are some of the brands I discovered:

1) Thermax Water air purifier water filter()I suggest you read the reviews on Amazon before you decide (click the link below) on this model. It says it covers 800 square feet but I’m not convinced of that until I try it. It’s rather small, and a little louder than I like but the reviews were positive.

2) Sanyo ABC-VW24 Air Washer ()

This is the only name-brand model I found and it has a full sized air purifier feel to it.

3) EcoGecko Pure H2O Water Based Mini Desktop Air Purifier . A bit on the pricey side for a little ball of water with a fan. The disturbing thing for me was the way it is powered – by USB port. It’s a cheaper way to manufacture it (no converter from 110 needed) but most geeks won’t want to take up a USB port for this thing, let alone have something with water close to the computer.

Correction

Oops! The Sanyo is a HEPA purifier which uses water to purifier the air, not to “clean” or filter the air. My mistake. One of my staff told me that there are some problems with how it cleans the air with water, and that it doesn’t really use water as a filter.

So it’s technically not an air purifier water filter but really a HEPA air purifier that uses electrolized water technology to purify the air.

Conclusion

The water based air purifiers are all made in China, and are relatively inexpensive for removing some dust and pollen from the air. These are for small rooms.

You might be better off with a small Air Purifier like the one below which has HEPA, UV, Tio2, washable Filters, Negative Ions and Carbon to do a lot more and use less electricity.

 

OVERVIEW

I have such mixed feelings about Healthy Living Air Purifiers which is also branded as Ecoquest , Vollara , and Alpine Air. This air purifier design, and company, has had nine lives. There are some dangers in ozone, although they work very well to clean the air for two specific areas of air purification. It’s now sold under the name Vollara. It has been a Network Marketing product in each incarnation. I originally knew it back in 1985 as Alpine Air Purifier, and I owned one.

If you’re wondering why it changed company names so frequently it’s because of the very problems they had with the government over Ozone dangers. They also made outradgeous claims about what their air purifiers could do for health conditions. The recent selling of Healthy Living Air Purifier to Vollara (anotehr MLM Company) was financial. The earlier name changes allowed them to stay in business when the lung problems from ozone started to become public. High levels of ozone can harm lungs. For an explanation of Ozone watch the video further down.

You’ll also find a review of the Ecoquest Flair Air Purifiers here.

Ozone Pros, Cons and Dangers

What Ozone Can Do

There is something I have always appreciated about Ozone. It can kill mold, smoke, and odor fast. I’d say better than anything. However it barely does a thing for dust or pollen. I use it effectively for mold problems, stale air, odors, and when I wanted to “shock treat” a room. But I leave the room , sometimes the house, when I use it. I don’t recommend the Healthy Living Air Purifier as an everyday air purifier because the ozone can harm lungs as I mentioned. For my day-to-day, 24/7 needs I use an air purifer that uses negative ions, carbon and HEPA to remove dust.

SHOCK TREATMENT WITH OZONE: Here’s how I have used this Air Purifier : Every week or so I crank it up and leave it on in a room for several hours. Then I shut it off, open the door (or windows) and let the remaining ozone dissipate for several hours before I go back in. i like doing this to my bedroom, bathroom and on an occasion when I have a mold or odor problem (kitchen, garage, or basement).

Pros and Cons

Pros

1 – Best Mold Killer Available

2 – Good for cleaning smoke

3 – A way to “dis-infect” or purify a room

Cons

1 – MLM makes the cost high

2 – Ozone is a problem for asthmatics

3 – VOLLARA DOES NOT HONOR the Healthy Living Air Purifier WARRANTY

5 – Loud on High, low air flow

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies: (out of of 10) 1

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 2

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.) 54. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 9

5. Longevity/Quality 8

6. Noise Levels 5

7. Ease of Use 10

8. Warranty 0

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) 4

10. Price Value 3

Score: 47 = Fair

Healthy Living Air Purifier Comparisons

Conclusion

If you have a mold problem, or a smoke problem, then it would be something to own. Just don’t be in the room when you use it. It’s not, in my opinion, a good everyday air purifier.

If you have a pollen, dust, or allergy problem then get a machine that includes HEPA and forget about this model.

Overview

To determine which are the Best Ionic Air Purifiers we’ve assembled video reviews, consumer reviews, particle tests and technical information to help you be an informed consumer. But we begin our discussion with an overview of defining what an ionic air purifier is, what it’s good for, not good for, plus a revealing look at some of the health risks that some of them create for the lungs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Many people now categorize all air purifiers as ionic air purifiers or as ionizers – however ionic is really just one of ten types of air purifier. To review all ten types watch the video on the home page which demonstrated all 10. The video below provides an overview of the ionic or ionizer air purifier

What Is an Ionic Air Purifier ?

Ionic Air Purifiers are also called ” electrostatic air purifiers “or simply ” ionizers “. Any variations of these names are basically the same technology – which is electrically charged plates or grids that can attract and kill some particles/molecules in the air.

Is Ionic for you? It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Ionic air purifiers are the most inexpensive to make, and hence most inexpensive to buy and maintain. But ionic purifiers are not considered the best.

Dangers of Ionic Air Purifiers – Ozone

The video below explains how many of the best ionic air purifiers unintentionally create dangerous ozone, which can harm lungs and airways. It also explains how machines like the Ionic Breeze were removed from the market for this reason.

Pros & Cons of Ionic

Pros

1 – Inexpensive

2 – No replacement filters – washable

3 – Destroys odors, kills smoke and some pollution.

4 – Energy efficient

Cons

1 – No Hepa (Best for allergies)

2 – Creates ozone (harmful for sensitive lungs)

3 – Does not help with germs, bacteria, viruses

4 – Not effective for pollen or dust

10 Best Ionic Air Purifiers

You actually don’t find as many ionic air purifiers as others, either because they are not considered very good for allergies or particle removal, or because of the ozone problem. Some of these models cannot be sold in Califo0rnia due to the new ozone laws there.

1 – Oreck XL Air Purifier (video review below)

2 – Friedrich electrostatic air purifier (video review below)

3 – Ionic Breeze Air Purifier (removed from the market)

4 – Ionic Pro

5 – Light Air purfier

6 – Hamilton Beach Ionic Tower

7 – Five Star Ionizer

8 – Bell & Howell Ionic Whisper

9 – Surround Air Ionic Air Purifier

10 – 3Q electrostatic Ionic Air Purifier

Here are some of these models reviewed in VIDEO. Pay particular attention to the particle test on a big ionic air purifier showing how the particle count is high.

Oreck XL Air Purifier

Friedrich Electrostatic Ionic Air Purifier

Conclusion

In the particle test of the Friedrich above you learned that the ionic air purifiers are not the best for removing particles from the air. So if your problem is allergies to dust or pollen you’ll want something with HEPA.

If you’re problem is primarily smoke or odors then an inexpensive ionic air purifier would be a good value. To see how the ionic air purifiers compare to other types of air purifiers see the comparison chart via the link below.

Best Ionic Air Purifiers Compared To Others

Overview

Even though the Living Air Purifier (also known as the Vollara Air Purifier and/or Ecoquest Air Purifier) work very well in two specific areas of air purification there is a list of downsides. I’ll dive into the ozone dangers along with the pros and cons but first a little bit of company history.

The Living Air Purifier (as sold by Ecoquest) was bought by Vollara. It has been a Multi-level marketing product in each case. I originally knew the Living Air as the Alpine Air Purifier, which i believe was it’s first “incarnation”.

If you’re wondering why it changed ownership so often it is because of the Ozone dangers via the EPA and the Health Department. They (Company and Distributors) also made outrageous claims about health problems their air purifiers claimed to help. The recent switch/buyout of Ecoquest by Vollara may have been financial as well, I’m still investigating that rumor. The name change allowed them to stay in business when the Government agencies brought on the heat. Simply put too much ozone can harm the lungs, and this is an ozone machine. For an explanation of Ozone watch the video below.

You’ll also find a review of the Living Air Purifier here.

Living Air Purifier Video Review

Love and Dangers of Ozone

It’s a love-hate relationship I have with Ozone.

What I love about Ozone is it’s ability to kill mold, mildew and odor. Better than anything out there. What I hate is that it won’t do anything for dust or pollen. So I have used it effectively for mold problems, stale air, odors, and when I wanted to “shock treat” a room.

I never recommend it as an everyday air purifier because the ozone can harm lungs. My day-to-day air purifier runs 24/7 and uses negative ions and HEPA to remove dust, pollen, odor and more. I also tell asthmatics and allergically sensitive people to stand clear of ozone air purifiers of any kind

For “Shock Treatment”

SHOCK TREATMENT WITH OZONE: Here’s how I use my ozone purifier: Every two weeks or so I crank it up and leave it on in a closed room for several hours. Then I open the door (or window) and let the remaining ozone dissipate for several hours before I go back in. I use this for my bedroom, bathroom and on an occasion when I have a mold or odor problem (kitchen, garage, basement, etc.).

Specs and Tech

Pros

1 – Great Mold & Mildew Killer

2 – Good for odor and smoke

3 – Good for “dis-infecting” or purifying a room

Cons

1 – MLM makes the price steep

2 – Ozone is a problem and a danger for asthmatics and allergically sensitive people

3 – NOTE: Living Air does not honor warranties since they were bought out by Vollara

5 – Loud on High

Specifications and Technologies

Living Air Purifier

Retail Price: 725-899

Purification Technologies: 3

Square Footage: 20-3000 SQ. Ft.

Replacement Filter Costs: Ozone Plates 30-60 (1-2 years)

Yearly Costs: 60-80

Decibel Level: (test coming)

Warranty – It was a 3 year warranty which did not cover the plates or bulb maintenance. However, Vollara has canceled warranty coverage on the former company’s products even though they just changed the name.

Number of Speeds – 3

Filters – 2

Conclusion

I like it for mold and treating a room. However I don’t put it ahead of my air purifier with Hepa, UV, negative Ion, Carbon air purifier. I just use it for problem areas and occasional shock treatments of rooms in my home and our offices.

If you’re looking for ozone for mold and odor removal there are now smaller, less-expensive Chinese ozone air purifier models available (some for 100) which will do the same thing. The video below offers some suggestions.

Overview

I first bought an ionizer air purifier back in 1978 to help with allergies and asthma. Did it work? No. It irritated my lungs and in a moment you’ll know why. That was long before the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze air purifier made the term Ionic Breeze and “ionizer” synonymous with air purifiers. ionic Breeze was taken off of the market for this very problem. Before you run out and buy one I’d like to clear up many of the misunderstandings between ionizers, ozone, negative ions, and what each can do.

Air Purifier with Ionizer Plates

Many purifiers now use some form of charged washable plates or grids to clean the air. They are also called: “electrostatic”, “electronic”, Truman Cell, “Ionic Breeze” and others using the term “ionic”. An air purifier with ionizer plates work by creating a positive and negative charged across the plates (or grids) to attract dirt and pollution like a magnet. Popular brand names include Oreck XL, Friedrich, and Ionic Breeze.

While they are inexpensive to produce and to maintain (no replacement filters) they however have a downside: since most dust and pollen does not have a strong electrical charge an air purifier with ionizer plates fails to work well for allergies. Some of them can also harm your lungs by producing Ozone. More on that in a moment.

Negative Ionizers

This differs from ionizers in that it only produces the negative side of the charge. However in this case the negative is really positive (It doesn’t produce ozone). Instead of attaching dirt to plates negative ionizers create free-floating negative ions that go out into a room where it can killing odors, clean the air, and creates a healthy effect on the body.

Ozone Air Purifiers

Ozone generators work by taking oxygen (Oxygen is O2 or 2 molecules) and it adds a 3rd oxygen molecule (Ozone is O3). It’s this 3rd molecule that acts like a killer going out into the room to disable mold, smoke and odors. The downside is that too many ozone molecules can irritate sensitive lungs. Popular Ozone Generator Brands include Ecoquest and Living Air (now renamed Vollara).

Pros and Cons of Air Ionizer Purifiers

Pros

1 – Washable plates

2 – They work well for smoke and odor

3 – Inexpensive to Maintain

Cons

1 – Overpriced

2 – Works poorly, if at all, on dust and pollen

3 – May create dangerous Ozone

4- Will not help with viruses, mold, or germs

Air Purifier Rating

1. Technologies Included: (out of of 10 technologies) 1

2. Particle Removal (Allergens, Dust) 3

3. Immune System Threats (Germs, Virus, etc.)1

4. Gas Removal (Odor, Chemicals, Smoke) 8

5. Longevity/Quality 6

6. Noise Levels 4

7. Ease of Use 10

8. Warranty 3

9. Customer Service/Reputation (reviews) N/A

10. Price Value 4

My Rating Score: 40 = Fair

Conclusion

If you’re going to get an ionizer, stick with “grids” rather than “plates” (like you find in the Oreck) as grids produce less or no ozone.

Are you a smoker? An air purifier with ionizer plates may be a good option if you are a smoker. Here’s why – it clears smoke effectively and you’ll save money because you won’t have the expense of changing HEPA filters (HEPA does not work to remove the smoke fumes, only the tar and nicotine). If you want to get rid of dust and pollen along with smoke then I’d suggest you get an air purifier with electrostatic and HEPA. The electrostatic will help with smoke and extend the life of the HEPA.

The Video Below is one such model that includes electrostatic, HEPA, Carbon, UV (for germs and viruses), Tio2 and negative ions as well.