Breathing in air that`s full of dust, pollen, mold, or bacteria is extremely unhealthy. To get rid of these allergens and possibly dangerous particles, you need the right equipment. The best ionic air purifier is a great choice for this task. These handy units emit negative ions, which attract the positive ions in those airborne pollutants. This creates a bond between the two, removing these contaminants from the air and leaving only clean, healthy air behind.
If you’re planning to purchase a new ionic air purifier, there are a few features you may want to check out before spending your hard-earned money. The first thing to look at is the type of filter, and how many are included, so you know exactly what particles will be removed from the air. The Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR, tells you the volume of purified air the unit can produce on its highest speed. The coverage area shows the largest room size it can be used in effectively. You may also want to check out the unit’s dimensions, so you know how much space it will take up.
To help you decide which model is the best ionic air purifier for your needs, we spent countless hours checking out different manufacturers, looking over product features, and reading every customer review we could find. Then we chose the top models, gave each one a rating, and wrote up in-depth reviews. We also added a buying guide at the end to give you all the information you need to choose the right one.
More features: IonCluster technology; 4 operating modes; color-changing air quality indicator
The best-rated air filter needs to do a great job of cleaning the air in your home and look good doing it. The Green Air Encore has a slim design that fits well in almost any room of your home. It is sleek and stylish as well, with a smooth silver body that is also built well to increase durability.
To keep the air in your home as clean as possible, this model has three-stage advanced filtration. First, is the mesh pre-filter, which removes the larger particles out of the air, keeping them off of the other filters to improve their lifespan. This filter is also washable, so it never needs to be replaced.
Next in line is the activated carbon filter that gets rid of the odors, smoke, and harmful VOCs. The last one is the true HEPA filter, which removes up to 99.97% of the smaller particles in the air, which helps it to be one of the best air purifiers for mold. This model also uses IonCluster Technology, which purifies the air while reducing odors.
The Green Air Encore has a large coverage area of 1,000 square feet, so you can use it in any room you need it in. The four modes include Auto, which allows the machine to adjust the air quality as needed, Fan for speed control, Night for quiet fans and dim lighting, and Silent for a quiet unit. There are indicator lights that alert you to the air quality, and when the filter needs changing.
More features: AeraSmart Sensor to monitor the air quality
If you want clean air in your home, you need an air purifier that can take care of every type of allergen possible. The Fellowes AeraMax 100 has a four-stage purification process, which cleans your air of all the contaminants in the room.
First is the carbon filter, which removes the larger particles, including various odors and cigarette smoke. Next is the true HEPA filter that takes care of the smaller particles that are 0.3 microns or more, such as germs, pollen, and dust mites. The HEPA filter has an AeraSafe antimicrobial treatment on it that also protects it from mildew, fungi, and bacteria caused by odors. The last layer is the PlasmaTrue Technology which creates an ionized field that removes the airborne pollutants in your home.
As well as the amazing filtration system, this air purifier also includes several other great features. It has four fan speeds to choose from, including low, medium, high, and turbo. All of these are quiet, even the highest setting, which has a white noise sound that many find soothing.
There is an indicator light that shines blue for clean air, yellow for mildly dirty air, and red for seriously contaminated air. You can adjust the fan according to the color on the display. There is also an AeroSmart Sensor which automatically adjusts the speed when needed. Another indicator light tells you when the filters need to be changed.
More features: releases 4.8 million negative ions per cm³
Even when you buy a brand-new vehicle, the “new car” smell doesn’t stick around as long as you may like. Cigarette smoke, pet odors, food, and even perfume can take away that fresh smell, leaving an unsavory one behind. To combat this, many people are choosing the FRiEQ Car Air Purifier, which may be the best car ionic air purifier around.
This little device plugs directly into the 12V cigarette lighter in your vehicle, which powers it, allowing it to clear out those nasty odors in your car as you drive. It doesn’t include an on/off switch, though, so if you have an older car, be sure to remove it when you get out, or it may drain your battery while you’re gone.
The air purifier works by producing negative ions, which then destroy those nasty odor-causing particles in the air. As well as those unwanted smells, this little device neutralizes other contaminants, including mold, bacteria, and viruses, so the air is healthier to breathe.
The compact size of this little air purifier makes it easy to move from vehicle to vehicle if needed. It also looks cool, with a slim design and bright blue LED light that tells you it`s working. It has a great low price that will fit into any budget. Unlike larger models, it also has no filters to replace for added convenience. Best of all, it can last for a good, long time.
More features: uses less energy than a compact fluorescent bulb
If you’re in the market for the best permanent filter ionic air purifier, the Green Air Encore may be the unit for you. Rather than bulky filters that get dirty and need to be replaced, this model includes a forever filter. When the front-loading collection blade gets dirty, you just remove it from the machine, wipe it down with a damp cloth, dry it again, and put it back in the unit.
As well as being easy to clean, this air filter technology works great at removing the allergens, mold spores, viruses, and bacteria from the air, keeping them from entering your lungs. It also does its work silently, without any noisy fans inside disturbing you during the day or night.
This model has three cleaning speeds, so you can turn it on low, medium, or high, depending on the air quality in your home on any given day. There is an indicator light for each speed, too, so you always know which setting you’ve chosen. There is a fourth indicator light as well, which comes on when the filter needs to be cleaned. This may need to be done frequently since a large amount of dirt can cause the unit to make some noise as it runs.
This model is energy efficient, with a decent coverage area of 500 square feet. It has a sleek tower design that can fit almost anywhere in your home.
More features: UV lamp and ozone generator; removable fan grill
You may not have a lot of space to use a giant ionic air purifier model. That’s why one like the Ivation IVAOZAP04 is such a great choice for those with limited space to put one. This air purifier has a compact size that will fit nicely on a desk or table but still has enough power to clean the air in areas up to 3700 square feet.
This air purifier has multiple stages of cleaning to get rid of all the contaminants in your home. This includes an activated carbon filter for the large particles, a HEPA Filter for the small particles, plus a Photocatalytic Filter and an Ultraviolet Germicidal Lamp.
There is also an ozone generator that uses an electrical charge to convert the oxygen in the room to ozone. This removes any odors caused by pets, cooking, smoke, or even paint during renovations. You do need to be careful when using the ozone technology around your family or pets, as too much can be harmful, so keep it low unless the room or home is empty.
This model is easy to use, with only two dials for the controls. One adjusts the ozone level, while the other lets you adjust the fan speed. Though there are labels for low, medium, and high speeds, you can also go in between them for the perfect amount of airflow through the purifier.
The air in your home is bound to get dirty at some point or another. Dust, pets, mold, or bacteria will all find their way in sooner or later. You can try to keep up with cleaning your house daily to combat this, or you can try a better way. The best ionic air purifier will help to reduce these contaminants, plus will likely be able to remove unwanted odors at the same time. This will make the air you breathe cleaner and healthier for less sinus and allergy issues in the future.
The ionizer in an ionic air purifier creates negative ions, which are then dispersed into the air in your home. These negative ions then attach to the positively charged particles that are already in the air. These particles include things like dust, pollen, bacteria, or smoke. When the negative ions meet the positively charged particles, they bond together, creating denser particles that are too heavy to float in the air. Instead, they drop to the ground, where you can sweep or vacuum them up during your regular cleaning routine.
Not all ionic air purifiers are made the same, so it’s best to know what each of the features these models may boast is good for. The following sections cover the main features offered by these units, so you know exactly what you’re getting when you purchase one.
Though an ionic air purifier uses ionic technology to help get rid of the unwanted particles in the air, many of them add some filters as well for an even more thorough cleaning process. There are a few different types of filters that can be added, each with specific capabilities.
High Efficiency Particulate Air, or HEPA, filters are quite common and work very well, removing at least 99.97% of the particles of 0.3 microns or larger that flow through the air purifier. This includes dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and viruses, many of which are too small to see with the human eye. These filters use fiber-like materials that are folded to create an accordion shape, giving the filter lots of surface area for the air to flow through. They are one of the best options for filtering out the contaminants in the air.
Activated carbon filters absorb the pollutants, including smoke, gases, chemical emissions, and odors in your home. These are best for people with sensitivity to certain scents or chemicals. This makes the air fresher, plus it helps reduce asthma. They don’t reduce the allergens or airborne particles, though, so are often paired with other types of filters in an air purifier.
Pre-filters are also included in many of the ionic air purifiers on the market. These take care of the larger particles in the air, keeping them from reaching the other filters in the unit. These are often washable, so you can reuse them over and over again. They also prolong the life of the other filters in the machine, so they last longer, saving you a bit of money on replacement costs.
Though not technically a filter, UV technology is also used in some models. It doesn’t get rid of the airborne particles, though it is quite efficient at killing germs in your home, like viruses and bacteria. They use a UV lamp that is installed inside the unit. The microorganisms pass by the UV rays that are radiated from this lamp, which destroys them. This type of technology is best used along with other filters.
Ozone purifiers produce ozone gas. Though this can help to control the indoor air pollution in your home, high levels of ozone can be hazardous, causing asthma symptoms and even scarring your lungs. They do help remove the chemicals and odors over time but aren’t effective for getting rid of dust or other large particles. This type of technology is best used in low doses and never around children or pets.
The coverage area of the ionic air purifiers refers to the largest area it can be used while working at its optimal level. This area will vary from machine to machine. For instance, the Fellowes AeraMax 100 has a coverage area of 200 square feet. This means it is capable of clearing out the air in a room of this size or smaller very quickly. In medium-sized rooms, it won’t be able to clear the air out as fast, and in very large rooms, likely not at all.
When you’re looking for an air purifier, it is best to measure the size of the room you’ll be using it in first, then find a model that offers a coverage area of that size or larger.
Most ionic air purifiers include different fan speeds or settings to control how quickly the unit removes the contaminants from the air in any room of your house. For instance, the Fellowes AeraMax 100 includes four speeds: low, medium, high, and turbo. The higher two settings would be used when the air quality in your house if very low. These higher speeds circulate the air quickly, removing the contaminants at a much higher rate. The low and medium speeds are meant to maintain the air quality, keeping the contaminants from collecting again and making the air unbreathable.
Some models also include settings like Night Mode, Silent Mode, and Auto Mode. The Night Mode slows down the motor and turns off any lights on the unit to make it easier to sleep with it in your bedroom. Silent Mode is similar, turning down the fan to create less noise, which is handy when you want a quiet moment at home or for those in an office who need some peace to get their work done.
Auto Mode uses an air quality indicator, which we’ll discuss more below. This mode monitors the air quality in the room, changing the fan speed accordingly, bumping up the speed when the air quality is bad and lowering it again to maintain the healthy air in the room.
There are many air purifiers on the market that include an air quality indicator. One of these models is the Green Air Encore, which has a bright LED light in the corner of the machine. The color of this light changes along with the air quality using a sensor that constantly monitors the air in the room. When the air quality it good, it stays blue. Particles and pollutants in the air will cause it to turn yellow. If they aren’t cleared out and the air quality drops significantly, the indicator will turn red. This helps you maintain healthy air in your home, reducing any allergic reactions or other issues you may suffer from if the air is full of unwanted particles and odors.
Air quality indicators also take the guesswork out of using your air purifier since it is always keeping track of how polluted the air is and alerting you when the fan needs to be turned up to deal with unhealthy air.
The dimensions of the ionic air purifier you’re considering should be looked at since these tell you whether or not the model will fit nicely where you plan to use it. If the air purifier you’ve chosen is too big, you may have to move a few things around to fit it in, or take it back and find a smaller version. To save you the hassle, it’s a good idea to measure the space you have available and find a model to fit accordingly. For instance, there are tower models, like the Envion Ionic Pro Turbo, that can fit between your furniture or in a corner out of the way. If you have some space on a desk or a table, the square shape of the Ivation IVAOZAP04 may be a better fit, leaving your floor space clear, which is a must in rooms that have limited space.
Many people don’t think of the warranty until the product they have bought has failed in some way. This is likely because we tend to believe the items we spend our hard-earned money on will last forever. When it doesn’t work properly, due to some issue with the parts, the manufacturing process, or the shipping damage, we don’t want to have to pay for the repairs or the replacement since we weren’t the ones that caused the damage.
That’s why you need to make sure the items you buy, including ionic air purifiers, have a decent warranty, so you know the company will take care of those repairs or replace the product if it isn’t working as it’s supposed to. A one-year limited warranty is quite common, covering issues with parts or manufacturing defects for an entire year. The Fellowes AeraMax 100 takes this a bit further, offering a three-year limited warranty, so if it takes a bit more time for those issues to show up, you still won`t have to cover the costs of getting your unit fixed or buying a brand new one.
The main purpose of having an air purifier is to clean the air of pollutants. Of course, some models have a few extras features that make them a bit more worthwhile to use in your home or office. One of the most important features is user-friendly controls. If the controls are complicated and difficult to use, you may get frustrated and not want to use it at all. The easier the unit is to use, the happier you`ll be.
Permanent filters are also handy. These are washable, so when they are dirty, you just clean them and then put them back in, saving you some money in the long run. Indicator lights are usually used with these, to notify you that they need to be cleaned.
You likely don`t want an air purifier that is too loud. Luckily, all of the models we`ve reviewed are quiet, even on the higher settings, so they won`t disturb you during your daily routine.
You may also want to check out the design of the unit. Many people use them in their living rooms or kitchens, so these units need to be at least a bit presentable. Otherwise, you might be a bit embarrassed having them out when you`re entertaining your guests. A model that is sleek and attractive will fit in nicely with your other décor, looking stylish while it keeps your air clean.
When it comes to maintaining your ionic air purifier, it is a lot easier to do so than you may think. Follow the tips below to keep it clean and running properly.
An ionic air purifier can remove many of the unwanted contaminants in the air that can cause allergic reactions or other breathing issues. There are many different types on the market, but a few of them have a bit more to offer than their competitors.
The Green Air Encore is the top model on our list, with its sleek design, four modes, and the color-changing air quality indicator light. It also includes multiple filtration systems, including a pre-filter, activated carbon filter, HEPA filter, and IonCluster technology, giving you the cleanest air possible.
The Fellowes AeraMax 100 is also a decent air purifier. It combines a carbon filter, a HEPA filter with an AeroSafe treatment, and PlasmaTrue technology to remove those unwanted particles. It also has four fan speeds, a color-changing air indicator light, and a filter light.
Though it has a very low price, the FRiEQ Car Air Purifier is handy to have in your vehicle, producing negative ions to get rid of the odors, mold, bacteria, and viruses. It is very compact, with no filters to deal with for added convenience.