Filterless air purifiers are one of the newest types of air purifier to come out recently and they seem to be here to stay.
If you’re new to filterless air purifiers and looking to learn more about it then you’re probably thinking:
Why do some people prefer them though?
Well, here are a few good reasons why people buy filterless air purifiers:
- Filterless air purifiers save you plenty of money. Say goodbye to expensive HEPA filter replacements!
- They usually cost less with their upfront price too!
- Cleaning is much easier when you don’t have to wash reusable filters or go through a complicated process every time you want to switch one out.
- Filterless are usually quieter than air purifiers that use filters.
It’s no wonder why so many people have made the switch! Low-maintenance, less costly, equally as efficient. So that begs the question:
What are YOU waiting for?
If you’re not sure where to start – maybe because you don’t what filterless air purifiers to look at, or what even makes them worth it – then have no fear!
This guide to the best filterless air purifiers will:
- Teach you about the different purification technologies used by filterless air purifiers.
- Give in-depth reviews of the 5 best filterless air purifiers available right now.
- Provide you with a comparison table so you can decide what filterless air purifier is best for you!
Let’s get started so you can start breathing healthier & easier!
Contents
Comparison Table for the Best Filterless Air Purifiers
Click the product name to skip to that review!| Product Name & Image | Airfree Onix 3000 | Airfree T800 | Ivation Ozone Generator | Envion Ionic Pro Turbo | IonPacific ionbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.2/5 | 3.8/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Price | $$$ | $ | $$ | $$ | $ |
| Coverage | 650 sq ft. | 180 sq ft. | 3500 sq ft. | 500 sq ft. | 500 sq ft. |
| Purification Technology | Thermodynamic Sterilization | Thermodynamic Sterilization | Ionization & Ozone Generation | Ionization | Ionization |
| Noise Level | Silent | Silent | N/A | Near silent | N/A |
| Power Consumption | 52 W | 33 W | 18 W | 12 W | 1.5 W |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs. | 1.5 lbs. | 12 lbs. | 7.8 lbs. | 4.8 oz. |
| Dimensions | 8.4 x 8.4 x 10.4 in. | 5.1 x 5.1 x 10.4 in. | 12.5 x 11 x 15 in. | 7.5 x 28.5 x 9.5 in. | 6.1 x 4.4 x 2 in. |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
How Do Filterless Air Purifiers Work?
When it comes to filtered air purifiers it’s a pretty simple process. Air passes through multiple filters that catch airborne pollutants & particles like bacteria, mold, pet hair, odors, etc. Eventually, once the air has passed through all the filters, it comes out the other end of the machine clean and healthier to breathe.
With filterless air purifiers, it’s clear there’s no way they can use the same process as filtered purifiers. You know, cause the whole not having a filter thing!
The thing is, there are many different ways filterless air purifiers utilize science & technology to eliminate harmful airborne particles. I’m going to go over the most commonly used technologies found in them to help you better understand how they work.
The methods I’ve listed below are used by the air purifiers found in this list. Based on what you like most you’ll be able to find an air purifier that suits your preference! (Each air purifier’s respective technology is listed under their specs.)
Thermodynamic Sterilization
The main idea of this purification method is using intense heat to eliminate particles. Here’s the process in 3 simple steps:
- Air containing pollutants passes through a ceramic core located in the center of the air purifier that is heated to 400 °F.
- The harmful particles are essentially incinerated into nothing, while the clean air continues to pass through the air purifier.
- The hot clean air is then cooled using heat transfer plates before being released out of the air purifier.
It’s claimed that 99.9% of harmful microbiological particles are eliminated through this process.
This method is my personal favorite for a few reasons.
- It produces no by-product to clean up, meaning air purifiers that use this method require no maintenance cleaning.
- It’s a completely silent process.
- Thermodynamic sterilization also reduces the concentration of ozone in the air, which can cause harm to the body when exposed to large amounts (more on that under the Ozone Generation section).
Ionization
Ionization involves releasing negatively charged ions into the air to attach to harmful particles. Once the ions are attached to the particles, one of two things will happen:
- The particles will weigh more due to the negative ions, causing them to fall to the ground and break apart. Where you can easily vacuum up the remains. Or,
- They will be electrostatically attracted and then captured by a positively charged collection plate. Once on the plate, they will stay trapped there until the collection plate is cleaned.
This method is best showcased by the #4 ranked Envion Ionic Pro Turbo with its collection blades.
Ozone Generation
Ozone generators pump ozone into an area to oxidize other particles. Through the process of oxidation, the oxidizing agent will attach to particles and create a chemical reaction, causing the particles to lose electrons until they are reduced to nothing but oxygen. This method is one of the best for odor removal.
Ozone generation is typically used in industrial scenarios – after large mold build-ups, house fires, or other hard-to-remove smells have set in. Using ozone to deodorize an area is considered a last resort or “shock treatment” to the area as the negative side-effects of ozone can be harmful if it’s not used carefully.
ATTENTION: This method of purification is generally less safe and should not be done while people, pets, or plants are in the area as it can cause serious harm to the body, in particular, the lungs.
The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has set a safety standard that no ozone generator will exceed 0.08 ppm (parts per million). The good news is the only air purifier that uses ozone in this list of best filterless air purifiers is the Ivation Ozone Generator at #3, which produces at most 0.05 ppm, meaning it’s within the EPA standard.
Now that we’ve learned how filterless air purifiers work, it’ll be much easier for you to understand and form your own opinion on which of the five best filterless air purifiers below you’d prefer. Let’s dive into the #1 best filterless air purifier now!
#1 – The Best Filterless Air Purifier – Airfree Onix 3000
Coverage: 650 sq ft.
Purification Technology: Thermodynamic Sterilization
Noise Level: Silent
Power Consumption: 52 W
Weight: 3.5 lbs.
Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.4 x 10.4 in.
Warranty: 2 years.
Without a doubt, the best filterless air purifier goes to the Airfree Onix 3000. The extremely efficient purification method this air purifier uses combined with all the convenient features it carries makes it hard for any other filterless air purifier to come close.
Efficient Thermodynamic Sterilization
Sounds complicated, doesn’t it?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a degree in thermodynamics. Thankfully, this purification method is much simpler than the title makes it sound. Here’s a step-by-step process on how the Onix 3000 air purifier works its magic:
- Polluted air enters the Airfree unit.
- Harmful airborne particles are eliminated inside the air purifier at a temperature near 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The newly sterilized air is cooled down before leaving the unit.
- The purified air dissipates into the surrounding air.
One of the benefits of this filtration method is very efficient. It eliminates 99% of harmful airborne particles, such as mold, dust mites, viruses, pet dander and much more. Other benefits that thermodynamic filtration provides are:
Benefits of Thermodynamic Sterilization
- The process is entirely silent.
- No by-product waste so there’s nothing to clean!
- Reduces ozone in the area.
Yup, the benefits of this filtration system are definitely worth it! A silent purification process means no interruptions in your sleep! Since ozone is harmful to lungs and used by some air purifiers, the fact that this air purifier doesn’t use any whatsoever means you won’t have to worry about if you’re harming your lungs!
However, there is an inherent downside to Thermodynamic Sterilization. Since it relies on basically burning particles into nothingness without the help of a filter, it can miss the bigger particles that float in the air. Strands of human hair won’t be able to pass through this air purifier. It fairs well against everything else, to be fair it is hard to match a HEPA filter’s effectiveness, BUT the Airfree Onix 3000 comes quite close!
Bring it to the Bedroom
Airfree has definitely kept the “for the bedroom” customer in mind with the Onix 3000.
Following up on the silent purification process, this air purifier also has a soothing, deep blue nightlight. The nightlight can be adjusted to whatever brightness you prefer. You can also change the color of the blue to a lighter or darker shade!
There’s only one thing you should consider before running off with your Onix 3000 to the bedroom! This air purifier is known to be warm when on (probably because of the whole 400-degree thing). It’s not warm enough to burn you or increase the temperature in the room or anything like that, but if you hover your hand over it you’ll definitely feel the heat.
It’s recommended that you don’t keep the air purifier near you when in the bedroom (and in general) as it definitely produces a noticeable aura of heat. A general rule of thumb is that you should keep your air purifier at least 3 feet away.
Other Benefits
Since the Onix 3000 is so small and lightweight, it’s easy to move it wherever you need it in the house, from the bedroom to the kitchen. The 650 square feet coverage means that wherever you take it, you can breathe easy (get it?) knowing that your Airfree Onix 3000 isn’t missing a thing!
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Large area of coverage - Efficient filtration with nothing to clean up after - Completely silent while operating - Lightweight and small, easy to move around the house | - Produces warm aura when in use - Takes a while (1 day-1 week) before air becomes noticeably clean - Has a hard time dealing with larger particles (ex. human hair) |
#2 – Best Budget Filterless Air Purifier – Airfree T800
Coverage: 180 sq ft.
Purification Technology: Thermodynamic Sterilization
Noise Level: Silent
Power Consumption: 33 W
Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Dimensions: 5.1 x 5.1 x 10.4 in.
Warranty: 2 years.
The Airfree T800 is like the little brother of the Onix 3000. Since that’s the case, it should come as no surprise that this air purifier comes in at #2 right behind its big brother!
If you’re comparing the T800 to the Onix 3000, you’ll notice one of the best parts is the price difference! The T800 sits just below $100 while getting all the same features as the one 3 times that price!
Differences Between Airfree T800 & Airfree Onix 3000
There isn’t much that’s different between these two air purifier “brothers”. Only some minor changes to the size/weight of the T800, and two technical specifications.
Size & Weight
The T800 is about two-thirds the size of the Onix 3000 and weighs half as much.
Power Consumption
The T800 consumes only 33 W of power. (Compared to the Onix 3000’s 52 W.)
Square Foot
The biggest difference between the two air purifiers is that the T800 covers 180 square feet whereas the Onix 3000 covers 650 square feet.
The coverage area and the price are the two main factors you should consider when deciding between the T800 and the Onix 3000.
If I’m on a tight budget, what should I pick?
T800, no question. A third of the price as the Onix 3000 and no loss of features? Sign me up! Not to mention lower power consumption means you’ll pay less annually on your electricity bill! (Related reading if you’re interested: The Best Air Purifiers Under $100)
If I need something for a small bedroom, what should I pick?
Again, the T800 is the way to go. The smaller coverage area of 180 square feet makes it a great air purifier for a baby’s nursery or smaller sized bedrooms.
The overall smaller size of the T800, when compared to the Onix 3000 means you won’t be taking up as much precious space in your living area as well! A huge plus since nobody likes a giant, obnoxiously loud air purifier that always gets in the way.
If I need something for my living room, what should I pick?
Now that we’re moving up to bigger spaces you should probably look at buying the Onix 3000. It all depends on the size of your living space and your budget.
Equally as Efficient
The Airfree T800 shares the same purification technology as the Onix 3000 (Thermodynamic Sterilization). Meaning it does the whole 400 degrees boiling thing, and reaps all the same benefits!
The T800 has the adjustable nightlight as well, allowing you to change the brightness and shade of blue of the light.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Efficient filtration with nothing to clean up after - Completely silent - Lightweight and small, easy to move around the house - Extremely low power consumption - Very affordable | - Produces aura of warmth when in use - Takes a while (1 day-1 week) before air becomes noticeably clean - Has a hard time dealing with larger particles (ex. human hair) |
Cons of The Airfree Onix 3000 & Airfree T800 Air Purifiers
I like to be honest with my readers and because of this, I figured I’d include the two things I, along with plenty of others, have noticed when it comes to the Airfree brand.
These aren’t big dealbreaker flaws but they are things you should just be aware of. There are only two things I’ve heard that the Airfree Onix 3000 & Airfree T800 air purifiers struggle with. Unfortunately, these flaws are inherent because of the Thermodynamic Sterilization process used.
Getting to the point – here are the two things that bug must people when they get an Airfree air purifier.
- It’s hard for these air purifiers to deal with bigger particles. (as I mentioned earlier). Human hair usually doesn’t get dealt with due to the type of purification used.
- Takes a while before the effects set in. This is common for both the T800 and Onix 3000. Most people report it takes anywhere from an hour, a day, or even a week before they start noticing the difference in their air quality. This problem also comes from the purification system the Airfree brand uses. Don’t worry, you’ll notice the difference when you it finally happens!
The last flaw I’ve found comes from only the T800. When you first start using it you might notice a plastic smell. Usually, this goes away within an hour or two of use and you’ll never have it happen again. If you can’t handle the plastic smell in the beginning, just take the T800 into your garage and let it run in there for an hour. Just like that, problem solved!
#3 – Ivation Ozone Generator
Coverage: 3500 sq ft.
Purification Technology: Ionization & Ozone Generator
Noise Level: N/A
Power Consumption: 18 W
Weight: 12 lbs.
Dimensions: 12.5 x 11 x 15 in.
Warranty: 1 year.
The Ivation Ozone Generator is a great air purifier that covers a ridiculous amount of space! 3500 square foot coverage is one of the largest coverage areas I’ve ever seen for an air purifier and it has the highest coverage area on this list of the best filterless air purifiers.
Not only does this air purifier cover the most space on this list, but it’s also the only air purifier on this list to use two different purification methods!
Ionization + Ozone Generation = Maximum Air Purification
The Ivation Ozone Generator utilizes the process of ionization & ozone generation to purify the air.
The ionizer emits negative ions to attach to harmful airborne particles, causing them to break apart and fall to the ground, where they can be vacuumed off the floor.
The ozone generator uses activated oxygen to destroy odors in the air,replacing it with a fresh, nature-like smell. The air purifier does this by using an Ozone plate that can be found & removed in the back of the air purifier (The slot can be seen in the picture to the right). It’s recommended that you wash the ozone plate once every month.
The good thing about having two purification methods with the Ivation air purifier is that they’re able to be used independently of each other.
Retro Design With Big Improvements
One of my favorite features about the Ivation Ozone Generator is its old-school retro look. The cherry wood exterior with a stainless steel grill on the front reminds me of a radio from the 1950s! The two dials to control the ozone and ionization process really drive home that radio look.
It’s definitely one of the better-looking air purifiers out there right now. This might not seem like such a big deal but it’s nice to have your air purifier blend in with your home decor and NOT stick out like a sore thumb!
Don’t let the retro look fool you though!
This air purifier got plenty of upgrades compared to its predecessor the Ivation 5-in-1. (which can be found in this article for the best ionic air purifiers.)
The Ivation Ozone Generator, when compared to the 5-in-1, has these new improvements to brag about:
- Uses two-thirds less power
- A quieter fan
- Strong ionizer & ozone output
Safety Recommendations (Please Read!)
It’s recommended that you don’t put the Ozone dial above the second lowest setting. Especially if you’re going to be in the area where this air purifier is located. If you’re unaware, high levels of ozone can be harmful to your health and cause irritation in the lungs.
To avoid any potential health problems, keep the 3 Ps in mind – Avoid using the ozone generator when People, Pets, or Plants are in the area.
The other recommendation given for this air purifier is that you should have it somewhere at least four feet above ground level. You should also put this air purifier in an open space in your living space, please don’t just hide it away in a corner!
If you need help figuring out where to put your air purifier, I’d recommend checking out this article: The Best Place to Put an Air Purifier.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Ridiculously big coverage area (3500 sq ft!) - Low power consumption - Two different purification methods that can be used independently - Retro design fits in with old-school decor | - Ozone in large amounts can be harmful to body - Not easily movable |
#4 – Envion Ionic Pro Turbo
Coverage: 500 sq ft.
Purification Technology: Ionization
Noise Level: Near silent.
Power Consumption: 12 W
Weight: 7.8 lbs.
Dimensions: 7.5 x 28.5 x 9.5 in.
Warranty: 1 year.
The Envion Ionic Pro Turbo is a great purchase if you’re looking for an air purifier on a budget, without having to sacrifice its coverage area. The Ionic Pro Turbo has a number of convenient features that any person concerned about their air quality will appreciate.
Starting out, the Pro Turbo’s purification technology is ionization. This air purifier is pretty unique and cool (If you’re a little nerdy like I am…no shame!) in how it uses ionization to filter & destroy harmful pollutants in the air.
How Does The Envion Ionic Pro Turbo Ionizer Work?
The way the Envion Ionic Pro Turbo air purification system works is very easy to understand and in the step-by-step process below I’ll explain it to you so you can be well informed on your potential purchase!
- Dirty air is sucked into the Envion Ionic Pro Turbo while it’s on.
- The dirty air passes through positively charged wires inside the air purifier.
- By passing through the positively charged wires, the pollutants (smoke, pet dander, dust) become positively charged.
- These positively charged pollutants will become trapped in negatively charged collection blades. (This process is scientifically proven since ions seek to become net-zero charged, meaning positively-charged ions will always seek negatively-charged ions to balance out.)
- Clean air will pass through these collection blades and out the other end of the air purifier, into your living space! 🙂
Easy For Anybody To Use
The Ionic Pro Turbo is a simple to use, simple to understand air purifier. It has only two buttons you can press!
One is used to cycle between Low/Medium/High.
The other is used to pop out the particle collection blades for cleaning (more on this really soon). Cleaning the collection blades is just as easy as getting them out, all you need is a wet rag to wipe them down and you’ll be good to go.
Particle Collection Blades
I know you’re probably wondering what these collection blades are since they’ve been mentioned twice now so I’ll get right to it.
The particle collection blades are located in the front of the Ionic Pro Turbo (pictured right) and are used to collect the harmful particles in your air (as I mentioned in the process under “How does the Envion Ionic Pro Turbo Ionizer Work?” heading…you did read it, didn’t you?).
The best part about them is they’re 100% permanent and completely reusable. They just need to be wiped down weekly (recommended timespan) with a wet rag and they’ll be good as new.
Now I know what you might be thinking – but wait, aren’t these blades technically filters?
The answer:
Not reaaalllllllly. Some think since they’re having to wipe down the blades occasionally it should be called a filter, which means it shouldn’t be in this post of the best filterless air purifiers.
However, I beg to differ.
The main attraction of a filterless air purifier isn’t the lack of maintenance required (although it’s a huge plus). The main attraction of a filterless air purifier is getting to save tons of money on what would’ve been replacement filters.
Besides, I’d really consider these particle collection blades as more of a storage device for the harmful pollutants that build up inside the air purifier. The only thing is they just need to be cleaned every now and then.
How To Clean the Envion Ionic Pro Turbo Collection Blades
Here’s an easy to understand video from Max Dalton on how to clean the collection blades found in this air purifier.
The one thing to note in this video is that he’s using an older version of the air purifier which still included a turning knob to unlock the top (like a gas tank cap). The current versions now just have an “OPEN” button (pictured right) that you can click and get the same result!
Near-Silent and Energy Efficient
Although no specific noise level in dB is given for the Envion Ionic Pro Turbo, it’s well renowned for how quiet it is. Most claim its noise level is near silent.
The only time this air purifier might start to make some noise while on is when the collection blades haven’t been cleaned in a while, which is actually kind of a nifty side effect. When this air purifier starts producing noticeable sound, you’ll know it’s time to clean the blades!
The other thing that impresses me with the Pro Turbo is how little power it uses. Using only 12 W of electricity is ridiculously low! To put that into perspective, the Pro Turbo will annually use 1/10th the electricity that would be used on a fluorescent lightbulb.
I guarantee you won’t notice this air purifier on your electricity bill!
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Large coverage area - Simple to use - Quiet - Easy cleaning process - Low power consumption - Converts ozone & smog in the air into oxygen | - Won't be easy to move around the house - Particle collection blades require weekly cleaning |
#5 – IonPacific ionbox
Coverage: 500 sq ft.
Purification Technology: Ionization
Noise Level: N/A
Power Consumption: 1.5 W
Weight: 4.8 oz.
Dimensions: 6.1 x 4.4 x 2 in.
Warranty: 1 year.
The IonPacific ionbox is a nifty little air machine that’s super convenient if you’re looking for an air purifier that you can bring with you anywhere!
The ionbox is quite the powerful little air purifier. It blasts anywhere from 2 to 20 million negative ions into the air per second!
These negative ions bind to positively charged harmful pollutants in the air, causing them to break down and fall to the ground. Once on the ground, they can easily be vacuumed up.
Even if you were to leave them on the ground there’s no need to worry, the broken down harmful particles won’t be affecting you any longer.
Don’t be fooled by this air purifier’s petite size. Weighing in at only 4.8 ounces and being small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, theionbox can still cover areas as large as 500 square feet!
No Outlet? No Problem
One of the most convenient features with the ionbox is its ability to work without needing an outlet.
The power supply for the ionbox is similar to an iPhone charger – it comes with a USB cord and a wall outlet to go with it. When you’re at home it’s no issue, plug it into any power outlet as if it were a normal air purifier and let it work its magic.
The best part is when you don’t have a power outlet nearby.
The USB cord allows you to plug into any USB outlet! And, thanks to the air purifier’s extremely low power consumption (Only 1.5 W!), will still run no problem!
Any USB outlet will work – whether it’s your laptop, PC, car, or RV, you’ll be able to keep your ionbox air purifier working with you wherever you go. I’m sure you can imagine the ridiculous benefits that come from this portability, clean air everywhere you go!
Guaranteed to Work
If there’s one thing I really appreciate from companies, its when they care for their customers and keep them in mind. I’m happy to say that IonPacific is one of those companies.
Why?
IonPacific individually tests each ionbox before it’s shipped out to ensure that it won’t be a hunk of junk when it gets to you. This saves you time and unnecessary stress by not having to go through a return or refund.
Speaking of returns and refunds, if your ionbox air purifier fails within twelve months of purchasing IonPacific will replace your unit. No questions asked.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Extremely lightweight & small - Surprising coverage area for the size - Can be plugged into a USB outlet - Super portable! Can be used in the car, office or any room in the house - Affordable - Extremely low power consumption | - Can get noisy if not cleaned occasionally - No true filtration, just negative ion production |
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