Air purifiers can greatly increase the quality of breathing air in a household by capturing and removing pollutants. They can help alleviate certain health conditions, including asthma and various allergies. Using an air purifier can also prevent the development of new health conditions.
What Do Air Ionizers Do?
Users commonly use the terms “air purifier” and “air ionizer” interchangeably.
Ionization refers to a specific method for air purification, which relies on releasing negatively charged ions. These ions bind to the various particles floating in the air, causing them to stick to each other and nearby surfaces. Depending on the size and structure of the particles, it may also cause them to fall to the ground.
The negatively charged ions emitted from the device attach to positively charged particles, which causes them to attract other particles. This chain reaction is a very effective method of purification, which can easily cover a large room with relatively little energy use.
Air ionization works great with particles up to 0.1 microns in size. Smaller particles might require additional filtration, using a HEPA filter or similar technology that can more effectively capture small particles.
That’s why ionization is becoming an increasingly more popular feature in domestic air purifiers. People looking to invest in an air purifier for their own homes often look for models that feature an ionizer.
Some air ionizers might feature an additional circulation system to draw air through a specific channel where negative ions are released. Combined with a particle filter, this can allow the device to capture ionized particles directly as they are hit. Otherwise, it’s up to the user to clean their house regularly. When using a basic ionizer without any additional filtration, particles simply fall to the ground and must be swept up manually.
This is not a problem for some people, as those particles are usually invisible to the naked eye and do not dirty your room. The main point is that harmful particles are removed from the air, making it safe to breathe. Air ionizers accomplish that even without any additional filtration.
Benefits of Ionizing Air
Various health benefits have been linked to the use of air ionizers in recent years. As we mentioned above, all forms of air purification, in general, can help manage certain health conditions and prevent others. But there’s more. Air ionizers have also been linked to improved sleep and average respiratory rate.
This is also valid for people without any respiratory issues. Improving air circulation along with the quality of breathing air can help decrease blood pressure and the strength of the immune system. Air ionization has even been linked to improved mood, especially in users suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Those studies are ongoing but are already showing promising results.
In any case, the benefits of ionization as an additional air purification step should not be underestimated. As more and more devices on the market start to include an ionization feature, it has become important to understand its implications.
Popular Alternative Methods for Air Purification
Air ionizers work best when combined with additional air purification methods. Those are sometimes integrated into the ionizer itself. In other cases, it’s up to the user to install additional devices for filtration. There are several popular options for that on the market.
An air purifier works by running air through a filter (or series of filters) designed to capture particles. It can cleanse the air of dust, pollen, microorganisms, and various other potentially harmful particles. Many air purifiers use a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which is optimized for particles around 0.3 microns in size. Some also use an activated carbon filter or even UV light.
Which One Should You Use? Try These Products!
Cosmo Prime
Finding Cosmo Prime on this list should be no surprise. The product is known for its quiet operation and effective filtration, featuring both a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter. It can cover very large areas and comes with a 5-year warranty that covers all manufacturer defects. The purifier is designed for larger environments, with a 360-degree mode of operation that can cover even big rooms without compromising filtration quality.
PerySmith AURORA H13
With its quiet operation and high filtration efficiency, the AURORA H13 is a great air purifier for home use. It’s effective at removing unpleasant odours from the air, as well as various small particles that could potentially cause health issues. However, it requires frequent filter replacements which can add up very fast.
Sharp FPK50UW
The KCWS50LW by Sharp is an excellent choice for those concerned with eliminating any harmful particles from the air and improving their overall health. This humidifying purifier can last for a long time without needing a filter change. It also offers humidifying functions! All its usable functions can run for up to 2 years!
Coway AP-1512HH Mighty
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A great combination of effectiveness, affordability, and compact design, the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty is a favourite choice for households with limited space. Despite its small size, it’s very effective and can easily purify the air in rooms up to 200 sq. ft. in size. Consumer tests show great results even in larger environments, though there are some conflicting reports on that front. The purifier is particularly notable for being quiet and unobtrusive.
Winix 5500-2
It may not strike as the most visually appealing air purifier with its design. The Winix 5500-2 is a good choice for those who want to keep the air fresh and clean at home. It has no fancy features like a display shutoff and can be a bit noisy for some people’s preferences. But it compensates for those issues with its effective purification and large coverage. Experimenting with low-power modes can be a good way to avoid the high noise levels produced by the fans.