- Top 5 Filterless Air Purifiers Comparison
- No Filter Air Purifiers Reviews
- Buyer’s Guide:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How do filterless air purifiers clean the air if they don’t have filters?
- Are filterless air purification systems as effective as filter air purifiers at removing indoor air pollutants?
- Are filterless air purifiers safe to use around children and pets?
- Do filterless air purifiers help save money as opposed to their filter-featuring counterparts?
- Are filterless air purifiers more energy-efficient than models with filter?
- Do filterless air purifiers release ozone?
- Final Thoughts
- Related Posts
Many consumers automatically associate air purifiers with air filters, as most models usually sport at least a filter or two to back up their air cleaning claims. There’s a small niche of air purifiers, though, that take pride in being filterless.
Although filters like True HEPA and Activated carbon are widely-perceived as superior in terms of purification capability (and rightly so), some consumers prefer models that do away with such technologies. This is because filterless machines usually equate to lower long-term costs, less operational noise, and higher energy efficiency. If these benefits are right up your alley, then the following air purifiers are some of the best you can buy today.
Top 5 Filterless Air Purifiers Comparison
| Product | Features | Price |
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1. Envion Ionic Pro Turbo
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2. Airfree P1000
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3. AirFree T800
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4. AirFree Onix 3000
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5. AirFree Tulip
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No Filter Air Purifiers Reviews
1. Envion Ionic Pro Turbo
The Ionic Pro Turbo from Envion primarily purifies air using ionization that can destroy 99.9% of airborne particles. It also boasts an Oxygen Plus feature, which actively turns ozone and smog into breathable oxygen, and a germicidal chamber for extra germ-killing action.
Having three speed options is a welcome bonus, and its front-loading collection blades can help trap particles more effectively. These collection blades, however, as well as the internal ionizer wires, need cleaning about once a month, so it’s not exactly the most low-maintenance model out there. At the very least, it has a clean indicator that lets you know when maintenance should be performed. With all things considered, the Envion Ionic Pro Turbo is a well-rounded filterless air purifier packed with extra features.
Pros
- Handles germs, pollutants, odors, and allergens
- Eliminates ozone and smog
- Adjustable fan speed
- Clean indicator
- Quiet
- Low maintenance costs
- Energy efficient
- Affordable
Cons
- Collection blades need regular cleaning
- Short warranty
2. Airfree P1000
Airfree’s P1000 filterless air purifier does the job through Thermodynamic TSS technology, which uses the same concept as boiling water to sterilize the air and rid it of bacteria, viruses, allergens, and organic gases. Moreover, according to Airfree, independent lab tests have shown that the P1000 reduces ozone levels in the atmosphere, which is a plus given that ozone is harmful to the body.
Designed for use in spaces that are up to 450 sq. ft., this filterless model also boasts silent operation and low energy consumption, which makes it ideal for all-day and all-night use. What’s more, it can double as a night light for your kids’ bedroom, as well. If you don’t mind having to shell out a bit of money for a filterless air purifier that offers good coverage, the P1000 is definitely an interesting option.
Pros
- Good coverage area
- Silent operation
- Low energy consumption
- Doubles as a night light
- Reduces indoor ozone
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- Expensive
- Unit can get hot to the touch
3. AirFree T800
The T800 from AirFree also uses Thermodynamic TSS technology to destroy airborne microorganisms ranging from bacteria to allergens, dust mites, and organic odors. It also claims to reduce indoor ozone. Marketed mainly towards allergy and asthma sufferers as well as those who are dealing with smaller mold-contaminated areas, the T800’s technology apparently destroys pollutants via heating.
The T800 comes with low maintenance costs and is very affordable. As such, it’s hard to complain about the lack of extra features on this device. If you’re looking to treat small spaces and prefer filterless air purifiers that don’t use ionization, then you should definitely consider getting the T800.
Pros
- Quiet
- Low-maintenance
- Energy-efficient
- Low long-term costs
- Reduces indoor ozone
- Affordable
Cons
- Small coverage
- No extra features
- Unit can get hot to the touch
4. AirFree Onix 3000
If the Airfree T800’s lineup of features sounds great to you but you find its capacity too limiting, the Onix3000 is a wide-coverage (and big-budget) alternative. Designed for spaces up to 650 sq. ft., this machine also banks on Thermodynamic TSS technology to destroy bacteria, dust mites, viruses, mold, pollen, tobacco smoke, and organic allergens. It also claims to minimize ozone levels indoors. This Airfree model can also act as a night light, which is a definite plus considering that it lets you dim or turn off the light depending on your preference (as a side note, the Onix3000 only emits blue light, but a related model called Iris3000—which features a multi-color light—is also available).
As a filterless model, it’s quiet and cheap to maintain, but you should note that you’d have to shell out a bit more cash in the beginning, since the Onix3000 comes with a high price tag.
Pros
- Wide coverage
- Silent
- Reduces indoor ozone
- Low energy consumption
- Easy to maintain
- Can be used as a night light
Cons
- Expensive
- Unit can get hot to the touch
5. AirFree Tulip
If the AirFree T800 offers too small of a coverage area but you find the AirFree Onix3000 too big or expensive, the AirFree Tulip offers a good middle ground. This air purifier covers areas up to 450 sq. ft., which makes it great for medium-to-large spaces. Like its siblings, it relies on Thermodynamic TSS technology to combat particle pollutants and other organic contaminants. It also purports to be able to reduce harmful ozone indoors.
What separates it from the two aforementioned models (aside from its coverage area and appearance) is that it sports a multi-colored night light. You can adjust both the night light’s brightness and choose from 11 different color options. If having an air purifier that can double as mood lighting appeals to you, then you should definitely take a look at this AirFree model.
Pros
Wide coverage
Silent
Reduces indoor ozone
Low energy consumption
Easy to maintain
Multi-colored night light
Cons
- Expensive
- Unit can get hot to the touch
Buyer’s Guide:
Filterless Air Purifiers
How Filter-Free Systems Work
Filterless air purifiers are air-cleaning machines that employ technologies other than filters to purify the air in your home. These technologies include:
- Ionization, which generates ions which help weigh down or trap pollutants
- Electrostatic precipitation, which is similar to ionization in that it charges pollutants and uses oppositely-charged metal plates
- Heat sterilization, where microorganisms and proteins are exposed to heat to destroy them
- UV-C light, which damages DNA and molecular structure to kill germs
- Ozone generation, which can neutralize strong odors but can also be potentially hazardous
- Photocatalytic oxidation, which converts gaseous pollutants into harmless compounds through titanium dioxide and UV-C
The Case for the Filterless Air Purifier
Filterless air purifiers can be a godsend if you absolutely hate having to regularly purchase replacement filters. These machines are also great if you’re looking for a low-maintenance model that requires less cleaning. If you’re highly-sensitive to noise, you’ll probably appreciate the quietness that comes with most filterless air purifiers as well.
In short, filterless air purifiers are potentially worth the investment because:
- They’re easier to maintain than conventional air purifiers (with some models requiring almost no maintenance at all)
- There will be no recurring long-term costs that are associated with filter replacements
- They’re usually quiet
- They aren’t as dependent on airflow as typical models (convenient for when you don’t want fans blowing air around your room)
The Case Against the Filterless Air Purifier
Filterless air purifiers will sound great for some consumers, but they aren’t for everyone. Some of the disadvantages associated with these machines include that they lack:
- effectiveness against particles compared to HEPA air purifiers
- effectiveness against odors as air purifiers that have carbon filters (unless you get an ozone-generation filterless air purifier)
- A variety and extra features to choose from in this subcategory
What to Look for in a Filterless Purifier
If your heart is already set on a filterless model, the best next move is to ensure that you’re well-informed prior to making a purchase. This way, you’ll be equipped to make sound decisions when you go shopping for the best model for you. Below are the things that you should consider when choosing a filterless air purifier.
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Coverage Area
The first spec that you should scrutinize is the square footage listed for the model in question. You need the air purifier’s coverage rating to be slightly greater than the area of the room that you intend to treat. For example, if you want to place the filterless air purifier in a room measuring 80 square feet, a good benchmark is to look for a model that’s equipped to handle at least 85 square feet.
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High Percentage of Eliminated Airborne Particles
To establish whether a certain model is effective at removing pesky airborne pollutants, looking at the percentage of airborne particles that it can eliminate would be helpful. The best air purifiers are those that are capable of removing at least 99 percent of airborne particles.
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Energy Consumption
The amount of energy consumed by a model is another aspect that you have to take into consideration as high energy consumption can mean larger energy bills. The easiest way to determine the energy consumption of a machine is to look for its Energy Star rating.
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Noise Output
If you want to place your purifier in rooms like the nursery or the bedroom, you should ensure that the model you invest in can operate without generating too much noise. This way, you avoid getting bothered or distracted by it while you sleep, work, or relax.
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Extra Features
Just like most appliances, air purifiers can come with extra features that make them more convenient to use, such as backlights, LCD screens, or timers, to name a few. Choose a model that comes with features that would complement your needs and lifestyle.
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Warranty
Of course, we cannot overlook the air purifier’s warranty. As with all types of purchases, it’s essential to make sure that the manufacturer can guarantee the durability of the air purifier for a decent or generous amount of time. This way, you’ll be covered if you ever discover a defect later on, or if it breaks down way too soon after purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do filterless air purifiers clean the air if they don’t have filters?
There are different technologies an air purifier can use to clean the air without using filters. Generally, it can be broken down into two categories:
- Purification through electrostatic trapping of particles, as in the case of air purifiers that use ionization and/or electrostatic precipitation
- Purification by destroying the DNA, molecular makeup, or chemical structure of pollutants, as in the case of ozone generation, heat sterilization, UV-C, and photocatalytic oxidation
Are filterless air purification systems as effective as filter air purifiers at removing indoor air pollutants?
This would depend on the filterless system at hand, as well as the specific type of filter-containing model to which you’re comparing it. Generally, however, air purifiers with HEPA filters are still considered the gold standard when it comes to ridding the air of dust, pollen, smoke, and other pollutants. If you have purchased or are using a quality filterless device, then you should still end up with fresher and cleaner indoor air.
Are filterless air purifiers safe to use around children and pets?
Filterless air purifiers are just as safe as traditional filtered models to use around children and pets. The exception lies with ozone generators and models that use thermodynamic sterilization. Ozone generators should only be used in unoccupied rooms. Air purifiers that use thermodynamic sterilization tend to get warm or hot to the touch, which is a potential household hazard.
Do filterless air purifiers help save money as opposed to their filter-featuring counterparts?
Are filterless air purifiers more energy-efficient than models with filter?
This depends on the specific technology being used by the air purifier. Generally, filterless models should consume less energy than a conventional model since there’s no internal fan that consumes additional power. Models that use heat, though, such as the Airfree machines mentioned on this list, would use up more energy.
Do filterless air purifiers release ozone?
Final Thoughts
As a final note, we deem Envion’s Ionic Pro Turbo air purifier as our pick on this list, since it offers a balanced mix of a respectable 500 sq. ft. coverage area, adjustable speed levels, and the ever-so-comforting OxygenPlus feature. If budgetary constraints are your main concern, however, AirFree’s T800 model could be your perfect match.
Related Posts
Since the baby appeared, my husband and I have been looking for an effective solution to keep the air clean and safe to breathe. The Envion Ionic Pro Turbo caught our eye, so we bought this model. Ever since it has been in our home, there has been an immense change. The air is fresher and cleaner, and there are no more unpleasant odors lingering in the air.
I bought it last month too. After I read the review and your comment, I knew that this was the perfect choice to go with. It’s indeed amazing performance-wise, and it’s ideal for me because I don’t have enough time on my hands to handle maintenance work too often.
Does the RxAir Plus remove smoke odor as well?
Others who have already bought the RxAir Plus with TiO2 UVC1001B state that it did well when it came to removing smoke odors. It seems impossible for it to not perform well in this situation considering how great of a job it does at purifying the air.
I want an air purifier for the nursery, but I can’t make up my mind and choose between these great models. Can you give me some helpful advice?
The model that we recommend you go with is AirFree Onix 3000 because it not only produces 0 dB while operating, but it removes bacteria, viruses, and allergens from the air. In addition, the compact size that it boasts allows you to place it wherever you want in the room, so you can position it in a hard to reach place for the small one.
Thank you for your help!
I have first-hand experience with the Airfree T800 and I strongly recommend it. I bought this model a couple of months ago, and it has done a wonderful job.
I bought it recently too, and I’m very pleased with its performance and the fact that it’s maintenance-free.