Light Air Ion Flow Air Purifiers

Ion Flow has emerged from the wreckage of Sharper Breeze’s Ionic Breeze line of air purifiers.  The Ionic Breeze line received negative ratings from Consumer Reports for its ozone emission and questionable effectiveness.  The new Ion Flow models do not provide information on circulation power or rated room sizes.  They also have not been submitted for independent testing.

Light Air Ion Flow Models

Ion Flow Sky Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke
    (High Setting)
     – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : NA

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : NA

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 14″H x 4″W x 4″D

Weight: 2.4 lbs

Noise Level: <5 db

Energy Star? ? : No

Ion Flow Style Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke
    (High Setting)
     – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : NA

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : NA

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 26″H x 7.5″W x 7.5″D

Weight: 5.1 lbs

Noise Level: <5 db

Energy Star? ? : No

Ion Flow Table Top Ratings Technical Specifications

Est. Price – NA

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?

  • Smoke – NA / 450
  • Pollen – NA / 450
  • Dust – NA / 450

Consumer Reports ?

  • Score – NA / 100
  • Dust/Pollen/Smoke
    (High Setting)
     – NA / 5
  • Est. Yearly Cost – NA

Room Size ? : NA

Circulation ? : NA

Filter Type ? : NA

Filter Life Est. ? : NA

Size: 22″H x 7″W x 7″D

Weight: 4.2 lbs

Noise Level: <5 db

Energy Star? ? : No

Air Purifier Noise Chart – Decibel Ratings of Common Sounds

Source

Decibel Rating (dB)

Falling leaves

0-10

Whisper

10-20

Soft music

20-30

Mosquito buzz

40-50

Normal voices

50-70

Traffic sounds

70-80

Vacuum cleaner

80-90

Thunder

90-100

Chain saw

110-120

Rock concert

120-130

Pain threshold (jet take off)

130-140

Perforation of ear drum (gun shot)

160 and higher

 

Ionic Breeze History

A few years back, Ionic Breeze was the biggest name in the air purification industry, selling millions of units, backed by an extensive marketing campaign. Ionic Breeze purifiers, as the name implies, used ionizers to capture pollutants by creating a charge that attracted them, thus removing them from circulation in the air. Ionic Breeze was manufactured by The Sharper Image, a successful consumer electronics company that operated its own stores.

However, the Ionic Breeze’s reign came crashing down in the mid-2000s due to studies by Consumer Reports magazine that questioned its effectiveness and even indicated that, by producing high levels of ozone, it was positively dangerous to those who used it. Ozone is a molecule that can severely damage the lungs when inhaled even in relatively small doses. When the Ionic Breeze fell, it took The Sharper Image with it, to the point that all Sharper Image stores were closed and the company went bankrupt. However, the brand has recently been revived under new ownership, though solely as a maker of consumer electronics and an online seller at sharperimage.com, rather than a chain of stores. It is now owned by the Camelot Venture Group.

Ionic Breeze Reemerges as Ion Flow

As part of this revitalization, the company has once again entered the air purification market. It now makes air purifiers under the name Ion Flow and made by the Swedish company Light Air. The Sharper Image describes the Ion Flow as “a filterless, ozone free, and energy efficient air cleaner that removes over 99% of harmful air pollutants.” It also states that Ion Flow devices work at “capturing the smallest particles, down to .01 microns,” all without using a filter that must periodically be replaced or cleaned like most air purifiers.

To back up this claim, it cites testing performed by the Swedish government’s National Testing and Research Institute, which indicate that the Ion Flow is capable of clearing the air of nearly all pollutants between 0.3 and 1.0 microns within 5 hours. The company also states that all their products, unlike their predecessor the Ionic Breeze, emit no measurable amounts of ozone and are therefore not a health hazard.

Note that ionizers such as the Ion Flow target particulate pollution only, and are not effective against gasses and odors.

Ion Flow Price Range

The variants of Ion Flow cost between $350 and $500, which is pricier than some other air purifiers, but it should also be kept in mind that there will be no continuing costs that come with replacing old filters. The only difference that The Sharper Image mentions between the three models of Ion Flow is their size, shape, and where they are meant to be placed; notice that the coverage area given for all three is the same, despite their different sizes and prices. They are all rather stylishly designed, with a very modern look, as was the Ionic Breeze in its day.


Light Air Ion Flow Air Purifier Models

  • Light Air Ion Flow 50 Style: Ionizer. Coverage area of 540 square feet. Designed to be placed on the floor.
  • Light Air Ion Flow 50 Table Top: Ionizer. Coverage area of 540 square feet. Designed to sit on desks or tables.
  • Light Air Ion Flow 50 Sky: Ionizer. Coverage area of 540 square feet. Designed to be hung from the ceiling.
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