Conventional air purifiers with an activated carbon filter are usually enough for typical household odors. Ozone generators, however, exist as their own special class of air purifiers for more heavy-duty needs.
Ozone generators are considered the gold standard when it comes to eliminating foul odors efficiently. They produce ozone, though, which is a health hazard to humans and animals, so using them comes with certain risks and limitations. Still, if you are plagued by persistent, extreme odors, then getting an ozone generator could be your best option.
This article highlights several of the best models of ozone generators available today. You can also check out our Buyer’s Guide below to know how you can optimize your use of these machines without compromising your health and safety.
Top 5 Ozone Generators Comparison
| Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
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1. OdorStop OS3500UV
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2. OdorFree Villa 1000
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3. Green Air Pro 2
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4. Airthereal MA5000
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5. Mammoth Commercial 5000MG
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Ozone Generating Devices Reviews
1. OdorStop OS3500UV
According to OdorStop, the OS3500UV can eliminate extreme odors caused by mold, mildew, fire and smoke, tobacco, water damage, and animals, among others. It features a variable ozone output of 150 to 1400 mg/hr, which means you can adjust ozone production depending on the severity of the problem. It also offers a 12-hour timer, which stands out in a market where 2-hour timers seem to be the norm.
It also features a UV lamp for additional germicidal action. Ozone has germ-killing properties, but the UV lamp can be helpful if you’re running the machine on low. Keep in mind, however, that this also entails additional maintenance costs for regular bulb replacements—something that isn’t present in UV-less models. Nevertheless, the OdorStop OS3500UV is a promising machine. It may be a bit expensive, but its 5-year warranty should guarantee that your investment will pay off in the long run.
Pros
- Adjustable ozone output
- With a 12-hour timer
- Long warranty
- UV light included
- Pre-filter present
Cons
- Expensive
- UV bulb needs to be replaced regularly
2. OdorFree Villa 1000
OdorFree’s Villa 1000 has a variable output control that lets users adjust between 150 to 1800 mg/hr of ozone. It also sports a lengthy 12-hour timer which, as discussed above, is an advantage over many other ozone generators.
The pricey Villa 1000 may not be for those with tight budgets, but this model does offer the highest maximum output for units with variable ozone generation. Its price tag may also be justified by the reassuring 5-year warranty. If output control, wide coverage, and reliable performance are important to you, this OdorFree machine will provide the best value.
Pros
- Adjustable ozone output
- With a 12-hour timer
- Long warranty
- Pre-filter present
Cons
- Expensive
3. Green Air Pro 2
With two ozone plates with a 360 mg/hr rating per plate, the Green Air Pro 2 constantly generates 720 mg/hr of ozone. It claims to be effective at a range of up to 3500 sq. ft. Its ozone output is rather small compared to its peers, but the Pro 2 makes up for this by incorporating other filters and technologies into its arsenal of features.
It has a HEPA filter and an ionizer for dust and other particle pollutants, as well as a photocatalytic (PCO) filter and UV light to kill germs. This machine hopes to maximize the reach of produced ozone molecules using a five-speed fan. It also has an included remote control for added convenience. If your odor problems are severe but not extreme and you don’t mind paying a premium for convenient features and extra filters, then the Green Air Pro 2 may be the ozone generator for you.
Pros
- With HEPA and PCO filters
- UV light and ionizer included
- Mesh pre-filter present
- With remote control
- Adjustable fan speed
Cons
- Short timer
- Relatively low ozone output
- Expensive
4. Airthereal MA5000
The Airthereal MA5000 produces a fixed ozone output of 5000 mg/hour. Similar to the Mammoth Commercial ozone generator, its relatively-short two-hour timer is a potential con that may partly be justified by the high ozone output. There’s a pre-filter included, but not much else. As the cheapest ozone generator on this list, though, the absence of extra bells and whistles is rather expected.
While Airthereal doesn’t specify a specific maximum coverage area, the MA5000 should be able to handle large spaces, too—it’s just a matter of leaving it turned on long enough. The absence of a UV bulb and other filters means that maintenance costs are also minimized. If you’re looking for the cheapest ozone generator that can still deliver results, the Airthereal MA5000 might be the best fit for you.
Pros
- Highest ozone output
- Long warranty
- Pre-filter present
- Affordable (both upfront and long-term)
Cons
- Short timer
5. Mammoth Commercial 5000MG
This Mammoth Commercial ozone generator produces a constant 5000 mg of ozone per hour. As one of the models with the highest ozone output, this machine can deodorize large spaces up to 5000 sq. ft. in area. It can also achieve your desired results faster if you use it for smaller rooms.
Its short warranty is a negative, as is its shorter timer as compared to other models on this list. The impact of the latter can, however, be mitigated by the high levels of ozone that it produces: since its ozone output is so high, you’re less likely going to need to implement long treatment times. If you’re on the market for an affordable but robust ozone generator, you should definitely consider the Mammoth 5000mg.
Pros
- Widest coverage
- Highest ozone output
- Affordable
- Washable pre-filter present
Cons
- Short warranty
- Short timer
Buyer’s Guide:
Ozone Generators
How Ozone Generators Work
Ozone is composed of three atoms of oxygen, unlike the air we breathe which has only two oxygen atoms. Due to its structure, it is a potent neutralizer capable of killing strong odors, bacteria, and viruses. Ozone is highly-unstable, so it reacts easily with other molecules to assume a more stable form. Ozone attaches to odor molecules and breaks them down. Unlike carbon-based filters that merely adsorb odor molecules from the air, ozone is powerful enough to actually destroy odor molecules themselves.
Potential Risks Associated with Ozone Generators
Mostly used in industrial and medical applications, systems that generate ozone have been quite controversial for residential use due to the associated safety issues. The unstable and reactive nature of ozone makes it dangerous to humans and animals. Again, ozone has the capability to react with and neutralize odor molecules. Since humans and animals are made up of organic molecules as well, exposure to ozone can make you vulnerable to potential oxidative damage, especially in your respiratory tissues.
Although dozens of positive user reviews serve as anecdotal evidence that these machines indeed work, the United States EPA questions the effectiveness of ozone as an odor neutralizer. In addition, they heavily caution against the potential hazards that ozone generators bring.
Safety Tips When Using Ozone Generators
To be able to reap the rewards of using ozone generators while minimizing risks, you should only run these devices inside empty rooms. Make sure that the area being treated is unoccupied by both humans and pets. Make use of the timer to turn off the generator automatically. The United States EPA cautions that even with ozone use in unoccupied spaces, conditions must be controlled to ensure that no human or animal becomes exposed to the chemical. As such, avoid entering the treated area immediately after the machine stops producing ozone. You should wait for several hours to give the ozone molecules enough time to convert back into normal oxygen.
Key Features of an Ozone Generating System
When shopping for the right ozone generator for your needs, make sure to look into the following factors to ensure that you’re getting the best fit:
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Ozone output
Ozone output is usually reported in milligrams per unit time. The higher the output, the more severe the odor problems that it can fix.
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Air filtration media and technology
Most ozone generators come with a pre-filter that helps rid the air of particle pollutants. Some models take it a notch higher and install filters like HEPA or features like antibacterial UV lamps.
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Housing quality
While not the most crucial spec to look into, it’s still smart to check the quality of the ozone generator’s housing. Otherwise, you risk spending hard-earned money on a product that will become faulty at the slightest hit. Accidents happen, so it’s wise to ensure that your selected model can handle a beating.
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Warranty
You must look into the warranty that comes with the model. A top-tier system will usually be backed by a lengthy warranty, indicating that the manufacturer trusts the quality of the product it distributes. This might not always be the case, but it’s a good thing to look for if you’re serious about safeguarding your investment.
How We Rated Our Top Picks
Picking the best products on a competitive market is never easy, so we had to establish certain criteria prior to starting our review. We made sure to compare the elements, specs, and features that we consider to have the biggest effect on the quality of the device. We’ve rated products based on the following matrix:
| Rating Criteria | How It Affects Performance | Product to Receive the Best Score |
|---|---|---|
| Area Coverage | The ozone generator’s area coverage indicates the size of space you can use it in. We strongly recommend you to look closely into this spec to avoid purchasing a system which will underperform in the area you intend to place it in, or one that is oversized for your needs. We gave a better rating to the models that can cover bigger areas as they’re more versatile. | Mammoth Commercial 5000MG |
| Ozone Generation | The performance of an ozone generator is best described by its ozone generation rate. The higher the rate, the better. | Airthereal MA5000, Mammoth Commercial 5000MG |
| Variable Ozone Output | Models that come with adjustable ozone output earns additional points for versatility. Having variable ozone output means that you can simply adjust said spec if you’re planning to use the device in different rooms. | OdorStop OS3500UV, OdorFree Villa 1000 |
| HEPA Filtration | For a filter to qualify for the HEPA rating, it must remove at least 99.97% of particles are as small as 0.3 microns from the air. This makes HEPA the most effective type of physical filter by far. | Green Air Pro 2 |
| Timer Function | Another feature that makes a difference in the overall performance of the device is the presence of a timer function. It allows you to customize the operational flow so you won’t have to keep the generator running for longer than necessary. | OdorStop OS3500UV, OdorFree Villa 1000 |
| Warranty Length | Warranty is the last important factor that we’ve considered. A lengthy warranty is simply more reassuring and gives the impression that a device is built to last. | OdorStop OS3500UV, OdorFree Villa 1000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does ozone fight odors?
Are ozone generators better than carbon filters in fighting odors?
Will ozone generators get rid of odors permanently?
Final Thoughts
Out of all the ozone generators mentioned above, the OdorStop OS3500UV has the best balance between ozone output, timer length, and other features, so it’ll probably satisfy most conventional users of ozone generators. If you’d prefer to skip the UV lamp (since it’s an additional maintenance cost), the OdorFree Villa 1000 is a great alternative.
If having the highest ozone output is what’s most important to you, we’ve included the Mammoth and Airthereal models precisely for your needs. The Green Air Pro 2, meanwhile, should best fit consumers who are into multi-tasking machines and who wouldn’t mind paying a premium for them.
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