Air purifiers have become an integral part of our households. Choosing one, however, can be a conundrum considering the number of options available.
The only thing that is certain is that you should opt for an ozone-free purifier.
While ozone is incredibly effective in neutralizing air pollutants, bacteria, viruses, and other biological contaminants, it’s also harmful to our lungs. According to EPA, ozone air cleaners can cause:
- chest pain and shortness of breath,
- throat irritation and cough,
- decrease in lung function,
- and aggravation of asthma.
I wouldn’t say it’s a fair price for cleaner air, then. The story is entirely different for ozone-free air purifiers.
An ozone-free purifier, like the true HEPA purifier, does a great job of meeting the highest air quality needs.
From my experience, such air purifiers are perfectly able to combat numerous allergens and odors, knocking them off the atmosphere or trapping and rendering them harmless. They can also deal with microbial and bacterial contaminations in the air due to the several filter layers to remove dirt from the air that flows through.
All that without exposing you to harmful ozone.
But you’re not here to talk about how great ozone-free purifiers are. You want to learn which one to pick for your home. My list should help you with that.
Below, I’ve gathered a list of air purifiers without ozone from different brand names. Having tested these units myself, I have to say that all of them were more than impressive. Which one is the best, though? Let’s find out.
Best Ozone Free Air Purifier: My Top 3 Picks
Model | Pros | Key Features | Check Price |
1. Blue Pure 211+ – Best Overall | + particle and activated carbon filter
+ quiet operation + low energy consumption | – noise level at 32dB
– coverage area up to 540 sq ft – CADR: 350 | |
2. Alen Breathe Smart Flex – Best for Large Areas | + authentic HEPA filter
+ long-lasting filters + high CADR | – noise level at 39dB
– coverage area up to 700 sq ft – CADR: 250 | Buy on Amazon |
3. Honeywell True HEPA Allergen – Best for Medium Areas | + authentic HEPA filter
+ activated filter + high CADR | – noise level at 60dB
– coverage area up to 310 sq – CADR: 320 |
Other Notable Mentions
- Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA – Buy on Amazon
- Levoit LV-PUR131 with True HEPA – Buy on Amazon
- Medify MA-14 Medical Grade Filtration H13 HEPA – Buy on Amazon
The Best Ozone Free Air Purifiers – My Full Reviews
Let’s get straight to the chase. Here’s my list of what I believe are the best six ozone-free air purifiers currently available.
I tried to make this list as diverse as possible so that you can find the best purifier for your specific needs. However, having tested them all, I can assure you that each pick is bound to exceed your expectations.
Reviewed below is the comprehensive list of the best HEPA air purifier without ozone.
1) Blue Pure 211+ Air purifier
Special features: 3 stage purification, two washable pre-filters, energy star rated, AHAM certified, item weight; 13 pounds,
The looks of this air purifier can be captured in one word, which is the famous saying, “simplicity is the most sophisticated complexity.” Indeed it is pertaining to this device, being primarily of two colors only, it looks like a beautiful piece of furniture and is sure to bring something extra to the home.
It is also a bit bulky in size, standing about 21 inches off the ground, but trust me, when it comes to performance, this unit is a beast in every regard. Being an energy star rated, be sure to get lesser cost on energy bills than expected.
Perfect for Medium to Large-Sized Rooms
The blue pure 211+ is designed to be able to serve medium to large-sized rooms of up to 540sqft in size, hence making it able to walk right into the rooms of most homes today.
And if you need more proof than just my word, this quality of it has been independently tested by the AHAM (Association of home appliance manufacturers), hence making the product AHAM certified, which speaks volumes of its quality.
It also boasts of a very impressive CADR (clean air delivery rate), and from the test results carried out by AHAM, it can recycle the air in its 540sqft room about 5 times in an hour. For more precise measurements, its clean air delivery rate is about 350 cubic feet/ minute.
Quiet Yet Efficient
The first thing I noticed when I turned the Blue Pure on was how quiet it was. It is barely noticeable while on the lowest setting. And while it becomes more audible as the fan speed increases, it’s still relatively quiet compared to many other similar units.
Don’t let its quiet operation deceive you, though. This air purifier cleans the air very efficiently, and it is primarily due to the presence of a 3 stage filtration. The first is the pre-filter stage, which handles large particles in the air coming in before it is forced through a particle and activated carbon filter, which deals with 99% of allergens, as well as odor-causing gases and VOCs.
Key Features
Filter Type | HEPA |
Recommended Room Size | 540 sq ft |
Clear Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 350 cfm |
Noise Level | 31 – 56 dB |
Energy Consumption | 30 – 61 W/h |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
+ particle and activated carbon filter,
+ suitable for medium to large-sized rooms, + quiet operation, + low energy consumption, + high CADR rating, + 1-year warranty, and 2 when product is registered with blue air | – it is expensive |
My Final Verdict
I have been using this filter in my home for several years now, and it is yet to let me down. It’s quiet and efficient, and I really like its minimalistic design (it also comes in different colors). Sure, its price may look a bit off-putting, but, in my opinion, it’s worth every single penny.
My Rating: 5/5
2) Alen Breathe Smart Flex Air Purifier
Special features: sleep mode, true HEPA filter, two-stage purification, item weight, 15 pounds.
The first thing that caught my eye was how uniquely this air purifier looks. It’s basically a piece of furniture that is to be placed in a visible area to beautify the home while doubling an air purifier.
It is quite bulky, true, but with its well-polished surface and all the smoothness aby one would want, it will suit any house perfectly. But let’s talk performance.
Ideal for Large-Size Areas
This Alen unit thrives when placed in a large-size area. It can serve rooms of up to 700 sq ft, which is more than impressive in my opinion. As for its CADR, this product actually does well.
It has 187 cubic feet per minute airflow, which allows it to recycle the air about two times an hour in a 700sqft room. And while I haven’t used it for that long, most reviewers claim that its filters last really long, requiring a change once a year.
Impressive Performance
It is amongst the best devices based on the raw performance I have ever used. It comes with (almost) all the top features you may require from an air purifier.
It contains a True HEPA filter, designed to remove up to 99.97% of allergens, pollutants, and other confirmations as small as the size of a virus. With this filter working well, you are guaranteed air cleaned from all these contaminations, but you might, however, find it challenging to deal with odor-causing pollutants and gases due to the lack of an activated carbon filter.
What I also like is that this product is designed with much user convenience at heart, especially in the area of noise generation. Its acute ability to work without constituting nuisance in the lowest setting is awe-inspiring, however, it is louder on the highest setting, but not without a fix.
Key Features
Filter Type | HEPA |
Recommended Room Size | 700 sq ft |
Clear Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 225 cfm |
Noise Level | 25 – 50 dB |
Energy Consumption | 8 – 50 W/h |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
+ suitable for large-sized rooms,
+ true HEPA filter, + high CADR, + quiet operations, + long-lasting filters | – it is expensive
– lack of carbon filter |
My Final Verdict
If you’re looking for the best ozone-free air purifier for larger rooms, you can’t go wrong with this unit. I found it extremely efficient and convenient, although I have to admit I treat the lack of a carbon filter as a significant downside. Nevertheless, while expensive, it’s a great purifier to get. It’s quiet, efficient, and looks great. What more do you need?
My Rating: 5/5
3) Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Air Purifier
Special features: product dimensions; 20.08 x 10.83 x 22.32 inches, item weight; 21 pounds
Deep from the design architecture of famous Honeywell air purifiers comes the Honeywell HPA300. Coming in 3 different sizes, which include the model for medium, large, and extra-large rooms, this device also comes with an option for a Bluetooth model, which costs a few extra bucks compared to the ordinary ones.
For the purpose of this review, I tested the extra-large room-size model, built for huge rooms of up to 465sqft.
True HEPA Filter
It purifies air through the use of a true HEPA filter, which does a really excellent job in removing allergens and contaminants as small as 0.3 microns. This filter also has a pretty impressive lifespan, needing to be changed only at the end of every year. Before passing through the HEPA filter, a pre-filter exists just at the entrance duct of the device to remove large-sized particles that could shorten the life span of the HEPA filter.
I also like the inclusion of an activated carbon filter. It’s able to deal with odor problems also, and not just contaminants, and like the HEPA filter, it lasts long and only needs to be replaced at the end of every year (although I didn’t use it for that long).
High CADR and Efficient Performance
As per its clean air delivery rate (CADR) rating, the unit also boasts an impressive one, being able to recycle air in a recommenced 465sqft room, precisely 320 per cubic feet per minute, and therefore up to two times per hour.
These are impressive stats, but they come at a cost. It’s a loud unit, especially at higher settings, which I personally found quite annoying. The pure performance is there, though, and if you need to purify your room fast, this Honeywell purifier will serve its purpose really well.
Key Features
Filter Type | HEPA |
Recommended Room Size | 465 ft sq |
Clear Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 320 cfm |
Noise Level | 48 – 71 dB |
Energy Consumption | 42 – 131 W/h |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
+ suitable for large-sized rooms
+ true HEPA filter + high CADR (320) + activated carbon + pre-filter | – high energy consumption (even up to 131 W on high settings)
– noisy even at lower settings |
My Final Verdict
Although efficient, the Honeywell HPA300 isn’t the best option if you value convenience and energy efficiency. It is loud and consumes a lot of energy compared to several other units on this list. However, if you want to purify your room fast, there aren’t many better options around at this price range. It also comes with a very impressive 5-year limited warranty, which alone speaks volumes of the trust manufacturers have in it.
My Rating: 4.5/5
Cons
4) Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier with True HEPA
Special features: True HEPA filter, sleep mode, 3 stage filtration, AHAM certified, energy star rated, item weight 15.4 pounds,
Winix is also one of the household names when it comes to designing and manufacturing top-quality products as air purifiers in the world today. The 5500-2 is no exception, featuring a smart look and a pretty bulky size, which one would have to create room for in the home.
Its performance is, however, impressive, and from firsthand experience, I can say it is worth the price. It comes with several indicators at the control section for creating a better user experience and ease.
Convenient 3-Stage Filtration System
I’m a massive fan of Winix’s 3-stage filtration system, which is responsible for cleaning contaminants in the air that passes through. With a true HEPA filter, this air purifier is sure to hold back contaminants as small as 0.3 microns while still having a washable carbon filter to match.
Its carbon filter is responsible for dealing with volatile organic compounds and other odors in the atmosphere, and it does an impressive job here as well.
Before these stages of filtration, there is a pre-filter that stands to remove large particles like pet dander from the air.
Extra Filtration Level for Improved Performance
For me, the highlight of this device is the presence of an extra filtration level, which isn’t seen in any product reviewed so far. This is plasma wave technology. It works by emitting plasma waves, which don’t try to hold back contaminants like a regular filter but instead attack them on a molecular level, resulting in a cleaner and fresher air and, as a result, a more conducive atmosphere.
The CADR is also very impressive, being able to serve medium-sized rooms of up to 360sqft. The purifier is also certified by AHAM. Do I need to say more about its reliability?
Another great feature I love is the very efficient monitoring system in the presence of several indicators. These include the filter replacement indicator, as well as the air quality indicator. They keep constant tabs on the quality of air in the room, as well as the filter life, effectively indicating when a change is needed.
As for the air quality indicator, it works with the auto mode, which allows the fan speed to increase or decrease based on the present air quality, and as a result, its functions automatically.
Key Features
Filter Type | Activated Carbon |
Recommended Room Size | 360 sq ft |
Clear Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 246 cfm |
Noise Level | 27 – 60 dB |
Energy Consumption | 5 – 90 W/h |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
+ true HEPA filter
+ plasma wave technology + washable carbon filter + quiet operation + auto mode + high CADR + air quality indicator | – only suitable for small to medium-size rooms
– sensor can be inaccurate – expensive filter replacement |
My Final Verdict
In my opinion, the Winix 5500-2 air purifier is as close to perfection as you can get. However, there are several issues that stop me from giving it the perfect grade. Its sensors can be inaccurate, and the unit won’t work efficiently in larger rooms. If you’re looking for the best ozone-free air purifier for smaller areas, though, you won’t find a better option than this unit. Certainly not for this price.
My Rating: 4.5/5
Cons
5) LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Large Room with True HEPA Filter
Special features: True HEPA filter, LED display, 3 stage filtration, energy star rated, CARB certified, product dimensions; 22 x 18 x 10.2 inches, item weight; 11.24 pounds.
If you’re looking for a cheaper ozone-free air purifier alternative, the LV-PUR131 unit from LEVOIT is an excellent choice. It works brilliantly in purifying smaller rooms. And while I’m not a huge fan of its design (it looks a bit clunky, in my opinion), it offers a good value for its price.
The ledge-like area carries harbors the controls and digital LED display, which the user is able to interact with for precise control of its functions. With an LED display, the unit is able to indicate settings that are on, like the timer and auto mode, as well as air quality in the atmosphere.
3-Stage Cleaning Process
The device features a 3-stage cleaning process for getting rid of pollutants from the atmosphere, with the first being a standard pre-filter for removing large-sized particles. Behind the pre-filter is an activated carbon filter, as well as a True HEPA filter, which is responsible for removing specific particle contaminants in the air.
Inevitably, a true HEPA filter should be able to hold back particles of up to 0.3 microns in size, while the carbon filter’s specialty is dealing with gas molecules and other odor-causing contaminations.
Convenient and Efficient for Small to Medium-Sized Rooms
Being built for rooms of small to medium-sized capacity, this product is able to serve up to 360sqft in size and has a very impressive CADR, which is CARB certified. Its CADR in numbers is 135 cubic feet per minute, making it able to clean a 360 sq ft room about 4.5 times per hour.
I’m also a fan of the auto mode, which allows the unit to work independently. It senses the air quality in its surroundings, after which it then adjusts the fan speed to bring the air to a good and healthy level.
The timer feature is also present, allowing the work duration of the device to be chosen, and it is also hushed while operational, or the sleep mode can be activated for lesser noise production.
Key Features
Filter Type | HEPA |
Recommended Room Size | 360 sq ft |
Clear Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 135 cfm |
Noise Level | 41 – 59 dB |
Energy Consumption | 4 – 35 W |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
+ activated carbon filter
+ filter replacement indicator + quiet operation + low power consumption | – fair filter life
– only suitable for smaller rooms – clunky design |
My Final Verdict
Overall, I believe the LV-PUR131 air purifier is a great unit. It works brilliantly in small to medium-size rooms and comes with a convenient auto mode. It’s also quiet and energy efficient. I’m not a fan of its design, though. Filters’ lifespan is relatively short (6 months). It’s not a bad air purifier, but there are better units available.
My Rating: 4.5/5
Cons
6) Medify MA-14 Medical Grade Filtration H13 HEPA Air Purifier
Special features: medical-grade True HEPA filter, sleep mode, night light, item weight; 4.4 pounds,
MA-14 is the only medical-grade ozone-free air purifier on this list. That alone indicates we’re dealing with a quality unit here. And the best thing is, you can get that quality at a really low price.
I really like its compact and plain design. It looks like a traditional air purifier, with a large surface area at the top, which is responsible for releasing already filtered air. The three control buttons are stationed at the front and include power, night light, and varying fan speeds.
Medical Grade Air Purifier
The title medical-grade is a result of the type of heap filter which this device uses, which is an H13 grade filter, and due to design, it has that extra bit in filtration capacity than regular True HEPA filters.
With this filter, the device is sure to produce cleaner and fresher air compared to many others. However, you might still have to contend with gas molecule pollution due to the absence of an activated carbon filter, which I find very disappointing.
In all, this device has only one stage of filtration. On the filter approaching its life span, the filter replacement indicator light pops up to alert the user of a necessary change required.
Good Only for Small-Sized Rooms
For me, another letdown in this air purifier is the capacity of the room, which it can size. Being suitable for rooms of about 200sqft in size, its capacity is built to only cover small-sized rooms comfortably. When I put it in a larger room, I noticed a drastic drop in performance.
On the other hand, I have to admit that when in use in the recommended area, the unit offers a pretty impressive CADR of 120 cubic feet per minute, hence it is able to recycle the air in a 200 sq ft capacity space every 30 minutes.
Quietness while in operation is also one of the many qualities of this unit, making it very suited to bedrooms. I also like that it comes with a sleep mode, which is able to quieten its noise output degree further.
Key Features
Filter Type | HEPA |
Recommended Room Size | 200 sq ft |
Clear Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 120 cfm |
Noise Level | 21 – 48 dB |
Energy Consumption | 26 W |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
+ medical-grade True HEPA filter
+ good CADR + filter replacement indicator + lifetime warranty | – suitable only for smaller spaces
– lack of activated carbon filter – only one-stage filtration |
My Final Verdict
For this price, Medify MA-14 might seem like a catch. And if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative for a smaller space, it certainly is an air purifier to consider. However, it’s unsuitable for larger rooms, and the lack of an activated carbon filter is a massive disappointment for me. On the other hand, a lifetime warranty is a very positive addition, making it a win-win investment, especially at that price.
My Rating: 4/5
Cons
Features to Consider When Choosing the Best Ozone-Free Air Purifier
Zero Ozone Index
This is very important since that is the sole purpose of our air purifier selection. Air purifiers without ozone will always be indicated by the manufacturer. Therefore be sure to read the buyer’s guides (like mine) before going for any air purifier.
True HEPA Filter
The True HEPA filter is one of the most important qualities every air purifier should have. By many, this feature is recommended as the minimum qualification of an air purifier for it to be effective.
Air purifiers with a True HEPA filter are able to remove allergens and other pollutants as small as 0.3 microns from the air during purification. It is recommended by all medical association bodies for air purifiers and is a must-have for all devices.
Capacity
The capacity of an air purifier is dependent on the manufacturer’s recommendation, and different devices are made to serve various room sizes.
Do well to ensure you purchase a device that can adequately cover your room size area, as a smaller capacity device would only look like a waste of money due to the fact that it would continuously chase but never achieve a clean atmosphere.
Activated Carbon Filter
An activated carbon filter is solely responsible for how well the air comes out without odors. They contain little granules of carbon compounds, which are able to absorb odor-causing pollutants, as well as gases mostly found in the air.
Harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are also trapped in this filter as soon as it passes through. Therefore, for cleaner air and, as a result, the environment, be sure to get a unit with an activated carbon filter.
Auto Mode
This feature is responsible for allowing the air purifier to both monitor and clean the air accordingly, ensuring you are never left unprotected from poor environmental conditions.
It applies a simple principle of increasing fan speed when the air is very polluted and dropping it back to a low when it is balanced. Its significant benefit is the convenience it affords the user, being able to do all it is required to independently.
CADR Rating
This is another most important feature to consider, behind the filters the unit possesses and its capacity. As stated in its full name, the clean air delivery rate is simply how quickly an air purifier can cycle the air in a confined space through its filters per hour.
A high CADR would mean a faster impact would be made on the air quality in the room, while a low won would also mean the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ozone from air purifiers hazardous?
Ozone air purifiers or ozone generators release ozone, which is a molecule that is pretty effective when paired against strong odor and other airborne contaminants and chemicals. It has very natural and smells fresh to match. Therefore it is handy for air purification and pleasurable breathing. Due to its very combative and capable nature, it is therefore preferred by some manufacturers as a cleaning agent in their air purifiers.
Regardless of its extensive usage or adoption by manufacturing giants, it doesn’t guarantee any form of safety while using this device.
Ozone is a volatile oxygen molecule (O3) that is sure to react with anything it comes in contact with, therefore making it not just harmful to pollutants but also to the body. When breathed in, ozone tends to get into deep areas of your body, with the potential to cause damage to the lungs, eyes, skin, and other exposed areas.
The danger, however, is that damages caused are not immediate but rather an accumulation of long-term exposure to these oxygen molecules, and most times are pretty severe about dealing with.
Ozone is, therefore, not recommended to be used in air purification and is totally not safe, which is why we choose to review only products without an ozone generator.
Which air purifiers produce ozone?
Air purifiers that produce ozone or make use of ozone in their purification process are always indicated by the manufacturer. As a result, in order to know the units that produce ozone, it is vital to go through the manufacturer’s specifications of the product, as well as the several filtration stages it employs to clean the air.
Most times, air purifiers that make use of ozone for cleaning always come with an “ozone generator” boldly written on the pack of the device by the manufacturers. Some purifiers also make use of ion generators, which might produce minute levels of ozone or not. Once again, this is always indicated by the manufacturer.
What causes ozone in air purifiers?
Ozone in air purifiers is not a result of some causative factor but is preferably generated by the air purifier itself, some by design and others as a byproduct.
Regarding air purifiers with ozone generators, these devices produce ozone by breaking down oxygen molecules, after which the ozone is released into the atmosphere.
On the other hand, devices that make use of ion generators, which release electrostatically charged negative ions into the air to bond with pollutants and knock them off the air, sometimes also release ozone residues, some more than others. This is a result of electricity flowing through a unique design plate, which releases ions.
Concluding My List of Top Ozone-Free Purifiers
Having tested all these ozone-air purifiers myself, I have to assure you they will all do their job more than well. However, as stated, you should first consider your needs before picking one, as not all of them might be suitable for your house.
The most versatile and, in my opinion, the best choice is the Blue Pure 211+ Air purifier. This is primarily due to three features it possesses, which are the filter types alongside stages, capacity, and the CADR. These features are basically the most important to consider before making a choice, and in the Blue Pure 211+, they are pretty impressive.
It comes with a complete three-stage purification, including the pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and the activated carbon filter. These filters are recommended by professionals for air purifiers. It is also designed to serve large-sized rooms up to 540 sq ft and is able to recycle the air in that area about 5 times in an hour.
However, as I said, all these purifiers are great, and I’m sure the one you pick will not only meet but exceed your expectations.
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