Air Purifiers

List Price: $199.99

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If you think that air purifiers are a choice between big and loud, and small and ineffective then you should have a look at the Ionic Pro Turbo.

This near-silent unit uses electronic air purification technology to clean the air without fans or filters. These compact towers positively charge air, then pull it in and extract particles with negatively charged collection plates removing minute particles like pollen, dust and pet allergens.

It’s ideal if you’re concerned about allergies, asthma or airborne diseases. It can treat a volume of air up to 500 feet square, and has three speeds to treat any room with maximum energy efficiency.

This air purifier is particularly appealing to the budget conscious. It’s fanless technology uses minimum electricity and the lack of filters means there’s no added expense of replacing parts. The initial cost is much lower than comparable filter models, as well.

The Ionic Pro does need monthly maintenance, which consists of cleaning the collection plates with a damp cloth. Like any electrostatic air purifier, The Ionic Pro produces small amounts of ozone, which is itself a pollutant, and may be a concern for those with health problems related to breathing.

Pros

• Cheaper than comperable filter models
• less ozone production than other ionic air purifiers
• virtually noiseless

Cons

• Not ideal for larger particles, like pet hair
• Needs consistent cleaning
• Can buzz and crackle when dirty

Maintenance

Many ionic air purifiers promise easy maintenance, due to their filter-free operation. But when it comes to accessing the collection plates, some units can be a little tricky. The Ionic Pro collection plates are easy to remove and wipe clean, which should be done regularly with any ionic air cleaner.

List Price: $449.99

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The Austin Air Healthmate is designed to address all the concerns that arise with indoor air quality.

The units are equipped with filters which tackle everything from extremely small particles to toxic chemicals and vapours. The unique design actually pulls in air from every direction, where it is processed through a multi-stage filter. The manufacturers promise the most efficient and effective air purifier you can by.

The first stage filter removes large macroscopic particles like hair and dust before air passes through a fine filter to remove remaining allergens and spores. The filtered air is then processed through a Austin’s unique adsorbent chemical filter which uses carbon and zeolite to remove common household chemicals, such as those produced by carpets, paints and cleaners. The Healthmate also has a true HEPA filter for removing disease causing viruses and microorganisms.

The units feature multiple speeds and come in black, white, grey and beige. The larger units measure 23 inches high and 14.5 inches wide and can be expected to rapidly remove particles and chemicals from an area of 1,500 square feet. The smaller “junior” units are 16.5 high and 11 square and can clean 700 square feet.

Pros

• Easy to clean and maintain
• Quickly removes household odors and allergens
• Low setting for quiet operation
• Attractive compact design
• Easy to move

Cons

• High setting can be noisy
• Higher price level
• Additional cost of filter replacement after 4-5 years

Advanced Design

Many air purifiers can be large and cumbersome looking. The Austin Air unit scores points for its compact and pleasing design, which fits in nicely with any home decor.