What is an ozone generator? Pros and cons
An ozone generator, quite simply, is a product to produce ozone, a chemical compound that many people know about because of the ozone layer. Ozone has many properties that can be helpful, whether using in a car, within the home or even within a business environment. The chemical compound can react with different substances and either get rid of them or make them harmless to humans. People have found that ozone generators are very helpful when it comes to cleansing both air and water.
Pros of ozone generators:
- It can kill the mold in a room and make mold less hazardous to people.
- It has the ability to neutralize smells, such as tobacco odors, this makes it a great choice during house clearances and the like, to prepare a home for another tenant.
- It can purify the air and kill a lot of bacteria traveling in the air.
- It provides a fresh smell.
- Hunters can use ozone generators to reduce their body odor and be more successful.
- It can hide smells from others, for instance if you want your grow room to avoid getting too smelly.
Cons of ozone generators:
- They can potentially be hazardous. This needs to be fully understood before you use an ozone generator. Do not use one if it is going to cause any risk to your health. Ozone is an unstable compound and when it is reacting with other substances in the air it can also be reacting with your body. This is what makes it so essential that you only ever use the ozone generator when you are not in the room. This is why many have timers.
- In some states, ozone generators are not legal. California, for example.
Features to consider when choosing an ozone generator
What are the features you need to think about before you decide on which ozone generator is ideal for you? There are certain features we’ve used to evaluate these products, which are all discussed within our ozone generator reviews. Some people will find that certain features and functions are more important to them than others.
Output and coverage area
Output refers to how much ozone is put out of the machine, usually measured in mg.
The more that the generator has the power to put out, the more effective it can be, but keep in mind that it may reach hazardous levels so it is vital to be careful when using it. Coverage area also refers to the size of rooms that ozone generators can fill with their particles.
If you are looking for something that can deal with huge spaces then try to match up the square footage with that advertised on the product listing. If you want to remove the tobacco smell from a car, for example, you can choose a small and portable model such as the
dison Mini Ozone Generator and it will do a very good job.
Power
How much power is the ozone generator going to draw to do its job? Do you need to consider certain aspects of power and whether you have the right power supply? The dison Mini Ozone Generator is an example of a USB chargeable ozone generator but most will need some sort of power from your home or garage.
Noise level
Noise level is definitely a consideration when it comes to buying an ozone generator. Like most appliances, you don’t want it to be too loud during use. However, there is a key difference when buying an ozone generator as you won’t be in the room with it while it is running. This means that you can buy something with a low noise level if you want, but it doesn’t have to be super low so that you can watch TV at the same time. If you are looking for a specifically quiet model then the Airthereal MA10K-PRO Ozone Generator comes with our top recommendation. It’s super quiet but still manages to be powerful enough for handling most spaces in the home or in a business environment.
Dimensions
You need to consider the dimensions of your ozone generator for a few different reasons. Firstly, the fact that it will have to fit inside the storage space that you have allocated, and secondly, the fact that it will need to be put to use within a room, meaning that if it is too big and bulky then it might not be quite as easy to use. It isn’t the top consideration for everyone, but it is worth thinking about when you are choosing an ozone generator.
Warranty
Warranty is an important feature and one which varies an incredible amount depending on which model you opt for.
Some of the very best ozone generator models can give a five-year warranty, safe in the knowledge that they will be able to claim if something should go wrong in this time.
Other products like the
Ivation Ozone Generator Air Purifier 300B are well-made, but don’t come with a warranty to back it up. This product has a warranty of just 30 days. Ideally, you want to get at least one year of protection when you buy an ozone generator.
Price
Price is another aspect that can vary hugely. When you buy an ozone generator that is small and portable then it might cost just $30 or so. If you want the best commercial ozone generator models then prepare to pay significantly more. There are many good products between the $100 and $200 mark, so they aren’t the most expensive product out there especially if you consider how many years of usage you might be able to get out of one. It might last you for a number of years.
Other features
A lot of the other features regarding ozone generators relate to both usage and safety. Many have dials and controls that are easy to use and control the timing of the unit as well as the output.
As you will want to be out of the room or the car while this is doing its thing, it makes sense to have a timer, and most of the ozone generators offer timers and delays. These can also ensure that the generator doesn’t keep running for a long time after you need it to, which can cost you in power but also reduce the lifespan of your ozone machine.
Safety features and certification are another area that some of the manufacturers focus on, and if you can find something that has a safety certificate then you can count this as a big plus point. Safety certifications are offered by unbiased and impartial companies who have checked that the product can stand up to rigorous tests and will not leak ozone when you don’t want it to, as this can be very dangerous.
Laundry systems need their own specific mention. The O3 Pure Professional Eco Laundry Washer System allows you to wash clothes with ozone and this can eliminate them of odors. It is also very good for cleaning clothes in a hotel environment, for example, ready for the next guests and a sterilized and safe stay.

Ozone generators installation, correct use and maintenance tips
As we’ve stated multiple times, safety needs to be the number one consideration when it comes to using an ozone generator. The correct use of the product is when nobody is in the home or when you can stay well clear of a space that is being “blasted” by ozone.
Ozone can be used when there is a sewage backup or something that causes significant odors, or if there are issues with mold. Usually, a cleaning company or specialist ozone cleaner will come in to give the treatment to the home. After it has been used, the home needs to be adequately aired so that the ozone does not remain at high enough levels to cause harm. Think of it a bit like bug-bombing a home to get rid of the pesky creatures, except this is for smells and mold.
In terms of installation, most ozone generators on the list just need to plug in and start working. However, ensure that you adequately read through all of the instructions you receive with the product. Otherwise, you might be making an error when it comes to using the ozone generator, and as we’ve established this can be hazardous. Work out the timing functions so that you can set it on a timer and remove yourself from the area. If you are using within a car then it is even more important to be extremely cautious.
To properly maintain your ozone generator, make sure you follow all of the instructions that are issued by the manufacturer. These will give you advice on storage, usage times and more. The products with certification are the most likely to take into account all of the maintenance tips to keep you healthiest.
Ozone generators can have filters within and some of these can be cleaned. The Alpine Air Commercial Ozone Generator is a good example of this and the ozone layers can be taken out in as little as 15 seconds. You might need to wear specific professional equipment when you are cleaning out an ozone generator.
Store your ozone generator away from an area where it could cause hazard if it was accidentally turned on. Also, if you are concerned, you should use protective equipment and even get an ozone monitor to tell you the levels of ozone that are in a specific space. Check that they don’t get to a level where they are hazardously high at any stage.