Last Updated on December 26, 2024 by Francis
Negative ion generators are proof that a lesson in physics can come in handy when you want to have cleaner air at your home or office. As it turns out, these generators are gaining on popularity every day, and it’s becoming a rule of thumb that an air purifier must have an ionizer to be considered a good-quality device. All of this has to do with the positive health effects of negative ions, and there’s nothing more attractive to people than natural health enhancers like the ions in question.
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Benefits of negative ions and the best negative ion generators
Negative ions are a natural way to improve your physical and mental health to a certain extent. When released into the air, these ions bond with many airborne particles, and they end up neutralizing them or pulling them down to the ground where they’re no longer a direct threat to your respiratory tract. Pollen, dust, germs, allergens, pet dander and positive ions from electromagnetic radiation are just some of the particles that negative ions are after on their quest to help you have a healthier life.
Ions of these kinds have often been associated with reduced asthma attacks and reduced allergic reactions, reduced irritations, headaches, and fatigue, improved heart rate and immune system, improved blood circulation and more. Furthermore, people who use negative ion generators often experience mood and sleep improvement, better concentration, less irritability, and reduced symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
What are negative ion generators and how do they work?
Negative ion generators are devices that ionize the air by releasing negative ions in it. Most generators have an ionizing needle or needles with electrons running on their surface which is known as the Corona Discharge method. This method makes sure that the electrons flow as far as the point of the needles where they will repel one another due to their negative charge and flow into the air. Once this happens, the electrons bond to atoms of oxygen or nitrogen, turning them into negative ions. The negative ions then catch onto different particles in the air and purify it. The more negative ions, the larger the number of ions repelling. This, furthermore, increases their chances of being spread further away from the ionizing needle to purify as much air as possible, which is one of the main indicators of a good-quality ion generator.
On the best negative ion generators
Good-quality ion generators have needles with a life span of at least five years, and they don’t start emitting positive ions and ozone into the air soon after their purchase. They produce many millions, if not trillions of negative ions around the point of the ionizing needle, and as much as 100 million or more at a distance of 4 inches from the needle, 20 million or more 12 inches from the needle, one million or more 20 inches from the needle and 100,000 or more three feet from the needle.
It is important that ion generators spread the negative ions in their blow-off direction, but also in their angle direction. Good-quality generators will have a great distribution of the ions in every direction. Furthermore, good generators will also release very few ozone particles with only 0.1 ppm of ozone or less. Eliminating PM2.5 particles in the air is also what good-quality negative ion generators do, and the level of these particles in the presence of a generator should be somewhat below 30. When it comes to particles from 0.1 to 0.3 microns in size, 98 % of them should be eliminated in about five minutes. Of course, a good negative ion generator should also be durable and perform well when the air is humid or the temperature is high or low.
Are air purifiers the same as negative ion generators?
Air purifiers and negative ion generators are different devices used for air cleaning. Air purifiers often have the air circulate through them so that they can filter it with various different methods of filtration and purification. Negative ion generators, on the other hand, release negative ions in the air, and these ions bond with different particles and impurities making it nearly impossible for them to be able to keep on floating in the air.
Negative ion generators are often one of the methods of purification used by air purifiers, making the purifiers more effective when it comes to cleaning the air. Down below is a list of the best negative ion generators that are currently available on the market.
Our list of the best negative ion generators of 2020:
#1 Pro Breeze 5-in-1 Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter, Carbon Filter and Negative Ion Generator
The Pro Breeze five-in-one air purifier is the perfect combination of an air purifier and a negative ion generator. This device filters the air with the help of a pre-filter, a true HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, a cold catalyst filter and a negative ion generator. The air purifier first removes the larger particles like dander and dust, and it then eradicates pollen, mites, allergens and odors. The negative generator is the last method of filtration and it releases negative ions in the air to remove any impurities left in it.
You can turn the ion generator on or off whenever you want to, which means that you’ll have full control over it. Among the other perks of the Pro Breeze are its auto switch on and off function and its sleep mode function, and its speed settings which allow you to customize your purifier’s operation in accordance to your needs. Perfect for small, medium and large rooms, this affordable air purifier will let you have full control over the air of your house.
Pros
- Has a negative ion generator that you can turn on or off
- Features a five-in-one filtration system with a true HEPA filter
- Ideal for rooms of all sizes (up to 500 sq. ft.)
- Has auto on/off timers
- Has a sleep mode function
Cons
- The more you increase the fan speed, the noisier it gets
#2 TREKOO Air Purifier Home Air Ionizer
If you want to have more oxygen in your bedroom, toilet or kitchen, you could put your trust into the TREKOO air purifier and air ionizer. This device eliminates all common airborne particles that can cause you breathing difficulties and other health issues with the help of an ozone generator and a negative ion generator. Once released, the ozone goes through the nano-activated carbon filter of the TREKOO and 75 % of it turns into oxygen. The remaining ozone might give away a weak smell, but we believe that this tiny flaw can be forgiven if you take into account that the purifier has a motion sensor that activates it and that it works quietly. Furthermore, the negative ion generator is highly efficient in rooms as large as 166 sq. ft. which is a pretty impressive area of coverage.
Pros
- An ozone generator that is very efficient in removing all kinds of odors
- Releases negative ions with its negative ion generator suitable for rooms of up to 166 sq. ft. in size
- Works when it senses that people or animals are around
- Can be customized to work in a room or in the toilet
- Its nano-activated carbon filter will serve you well for up to 15 years
- Works quietly
Cons
- You might be able to notice a weak ozone smell
#3 Aviano AV890 7-in-1 Smart Home Air Purifier
With as much as seven air purifying methods, the Aviano AV890 is a smart home air purifier that is more than ready to eliminate every impurity you can think of from the air at your home or office. Think about pet dander, pollen, germs, dust, allergens, smoke, mildew, PM 2.5 and formaldehyde and imagine all these particles being removed by the AV890. Since you’re interested in its negative ion generator, we can tell you that the purifier has a generator that you can decide to switch on or off and this is a generator you can use for rooms that are 350 sq. ft. in size.
Additional great features that the AV890 comes with are three adjustable fan speeds, a motion detector, on and off timers and a sleep mode. As you can see, this is a highly customizable air purifier and ionizer that has a large area of coverage and offers rigorous air purification which is pretty breathtaking in our opinion. However, don’t forget to keep it away from children and pets since the buttons on its control panel are very easy to push.
Pros
- Features a seven-in-one filtration system with an aluminum pre-filter, antibacterial filter, true HEPA filter, nano-cold catalyst, activated carbon filter, UV light and ionizer
- Ionizer and UV-C light can be turned on or off
- Has a true HEPA filter that works in rooms as large as 350 sq. ft.
- Actively monitors and adjusts its settings to the current air quality
- Has three fan speeds
- Adjustable timers and sleep mode
Cons
- Keep it away from children and pets for its buttons are very easy to push
#4 OION Technologies B-1000 Permanent Filter Ionic Air Purifier
Smokers and people who hang out with smokers will have a blast with the OION Technologies B-100 ionic air purifier. Once you turn this purifier on, it cleans the air with a four-step method of filtration and purification. That said, the B-1000 uses a carbon filter and ozone to remove odors from smoke and pets. The purifier also ionizes the air in order to make any impurities fall down to the ground. Furthermore, the UV light kills the bacteria and viruses to protect you from cold and any respiratory infections.
The B-1000 has a permanent filter. The other filters that will need replacement from time to time are not very big. Therefore, you shouldn’t worry too much about spending a lot of money on keeping the purifier working. Keep in mind that this is a purifier that will work great in smaller rooms, however.
Pros
- Specially designed for smokers, but beneficial for everyone
- Uses an electrostatic ionizer, carbon filtration, ozone and UVGI technology to purify the air
- Has a permanent filter which can save you money in the long run
- Uses very little electricity when operating
- Lets you have a good sleep with its quiet operation and night light
Cons
- It is most efficient in smaller rooms
#5 Nature Bright SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy
If you’re someone who needs a bit of a mood boost, you might find the SunTouch Plus device helpful. Winter days are long and they often leave us deprived of sunlight. The SunTouch Plus uses a 10,000 Lux lightbox and a 17,000 Kelvin UV-free light for mood improvement. This light can also relieve symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). The light is emitted by a Sun Touch Plus sun lamp. This device, furthermore, makes good use of the Sky Effect. The device stimulates the light receptors in the eye that are sensitive to the wavelength of the color blue. This leaves you feeling happier and in a better mood.
You might ask what the purpose of the ionizer in a device that’s supposed to improve your mood is. We will answer your question. First of all, the device is a smooth combination of a lamp and an air purifier. The way this air purifier works is it releases negative ions into the air. The negative ions then bond with different impurities floating in the air, such as dust and allergens. This method of purification can make you feel happier and more relaxed, help you sleep better and feel more energized.
Pros
- The device is a combination of a lamp and an air purifier
- Offers you relaxation through soft light and ionization
- Uses a Sun Touch Plus sun lamp which can have positive effects on the mood
- Uses the Sky Effect and people’s sensitivity to wavelengths of different nuances of the color blue
- Offers you optional aromatherapy
- It is safe for the eyes
Cons
- Replacing the light bulbs is very costly
