Ionic Pro Air Purifiers
Ionic Pro makes inexpensive air purifiers of questionable effectiveness. Past units tested by Consumer Reports in 2007 received low scores and emitted some ozone. Ionic Pro refers to CADR standards in their marketing language yet their units have not been submitted for testing under this program.
Ionic Pro Models
| Ionic Pro 90IP1RCMB1 | Ratings | Technical Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Est. Price – $111.5 | Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?Smoke – NA / 450Pollen – NA / 450Dust – NA / 450Consumer Reports ?Score – NA / 100Dust/Pollen/Smoke (High Setting) – NA / 5Est. Yearly Cost – NA | Room Size ? : 500 Sq. FtCirculation ? : NAFilter Type ? : No FilterFilter Life Est. ? : NASize: 18.5″H x 7.5″W x 6.5″DWeight: 6 lbsNoise Level: NAEnergy Star? ? : No |
| Ionic Pro CA200B | Ratings | Technical Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Est. Price – $89.99 | Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?Smoke – NA / 450Pollen – NA / 450Dust – NA / 450Consumer Reports ?Score – NA / 100Dust/Pollen/Smoke (High Setting) – NA / 5Est. Yearly Cost – NA | Room Size ? : NACirculation ? : NAFilter Type ? : NAFilter Life Est. ? : NASize: NAWeight: 5.8 lbsNoise Level: NAEnergy Star? ? : No |
| Ionic Pro CABR1 | Ratings | Technical Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Est. Price – $29.99 | Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?Smoke – NA / 450Pollen – NA / 450Dust – NA / 450Consumer Reports ?Score – NA / 100Dust/Pollen/Smoke (High Setting) – NA / 5Est. Yearly Cost – NA | Room Size ? : NACirculation ? : NAFilter Type ? : NAFilter Life Est. ? : NASize: 8.1″H x 3″W x 2.5″DWeight: 1 lbsNoise Level: NAEnergy Star? ? : No |
| Ionic Pro Turbo | Ratings | Technical Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Est. Price – $178.59 | Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?Smoke – NA / 450Pollen – NA / 450Dust – NA / 450Consumer Reports ?Score – NA / 100Dust/Pollen/Smoke (High Setting) – NA / 5Est. Yearly Cost – NA | Room Size ? : 120 Sq. FtCirculation ? : NAFilter Type ? : No FilterFilter Life Est. ? : NASize: 27.5″H x 9.5″W x 7.5″DWeight: NANoise Level: NAEnergy 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 Pro Parent Company & Product History
The Ionic Pro® series is manufactured by Air Purifier, LLC, a member of the Electronic Retailing Association which specializes in direct-to-consumer commerce and is not associated with Sharper Image. Their line of five air purifiers can be purchased online or in stores such as Wal-mart, Best Buy and Frys.
This company suffered repercussions from poor ratings that ionic/electrostatic/ozonator technologies received from Consumer Reports for ineffective air cleaning and unacceptable ozone emissions. Their marketing strategy has centered on making their units significantly more affordable than the more effective air purification products by having them manufactured in China using reverse-engineered American designs.
Consumer Complaints
Many consumers choose an ionic air purifier because of its low price, quiet operation and the slight breeze that sends out a “clean” smell. They are easy to maintain since do not require filter changes, although the mechanisms must be serviced regularly, so the unit produces a “buzz” when it is time to clean the elements. The steel plate assembly can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and if the unit goes too long without servicing it will shut itself off to prevent creating a fire hazard.
Criticism of Ionic Pro products include false advertising regarding the nature of the filter, which is not a Pure HEPA filter and consequently does not capture particulates down to 0.3 microns. In fact, their “HEPA-type” filter only captures airborne matter down to 1 micron, which is comparable to the capture rate of a regular vacuum cleaner. Claims regarding coverage area is misleading, because much of that radius is a result of the ozone drifting away from the machine.
Clean Air Delivery Rate
A Clean Air Delivery Rate of approximately 20 is achieved when the positively-charged ionizer wire attracts electrified particles to the charged collection plate, known as the Zenion effect. Collector plates can be damaged by electrical fluctuations and replacements cost $30.00, so surge protectors are recommended.
Construction and Warranty
All the towers are made of plastic and available in black or white. A control panel on top of the tower has LED lights indicating the status and power setting of the unit. Warranties vary, and longer warranties are available for installment plan purchases.
Ionic Pro Air Purifier Models
- The Ionic Pro® lists for $149.99 retail and measures 29″ inches tall, 10.5″ wide, 9″ deep, weighs 10 pounds and has a” cleaning radius of 500 square feet. The unit draws 15W of power and has a three prong plug.
- The Ionic Pro® Turbo lists for $179.99 and is available through a 30 day trial from the manufacturer with payment of $29.95 for shipping. It stands 30″ tall, 10″ wide, 11.5″ deep and weighs 13 pounds. Estimated square foot air cleaning radius is 200 square feet and it uses up to 40W when run 24 hours a day.
- PurePro® professional air purifier is a table top unit that measures 6″ high, 17″ wide, 11.5″ deep and weighs 13 pounds. This unit has a three-speed fan and a five-stage purification process which captures particles down to 0.01 microns and includes a pre filter, an Oxygen Plus™ filter, an electronic precipitator, positively-charged wires to pick up small particles and an ion booster that emits negative ions into the room. It retails for $149 and covers up to 900 square feet. The display panel has additional indicator that signals when to replace the filters. It operates on less than 20W of power and has an EnergyStar rating.
- Therapure 300 HEPA/UV – This unit has a triple action purification system with HEPA-type filter, a UV lamp and a Photocatalyst filter and boast a CADR level of 180. It is designed for large rooms up to 16’x17′, and the four-speed fan can be set on a 12 hour timer.
- Therapure 201M Germicidal Air Purifier- Retailing for $109.99, this unit stands 30″ tall, 9″ deep, 12″ wide and weighs 15 pounds and effectively covers 182SF. It contains HEPA-type filter, an ultraviolet lamp and a Photocatalyst filter.
- Therapure 101M- Retailing for $119.99, it is designed for small rooms up to 8’x 9′. This table top unit stands 15″ tall, 6″ wide and 4.5 ” deep and weights 7 pounds with three speed settings on the fan. It contains HEPA-type filter, an ultraviolet lamp and a Photocatalyst filter.
