Searching for the best way to get rid of very stubborn odors and contaminants often leads to reviews of ozone generators. Restoration companies use them to remove smoke odor after a fire, decontaminate mold or virus infested spaces, or restore a home or office where common methods fail. The best ozone generator can be a very powerful tool.
EPA’s page on Ozone Machines sold as Air Purifiers.
Featured Ozone Generators
Enerzen Commercial Ozone: 4000 mg/hr View on Amazon |
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Green Air Purifiers Classic Alpine Ozone: 360 mg/hr View on Amazon |
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Ozone Power OP5000 Commercial Ozone: 5000 mg/hr View on Amazon |
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Best Choice Products SKY1057 Ozone: 360 mg/hr View on Amazon |
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Breathe Fresh 5-in-1 Ozone: 180 mg/hr View on Amazon |
What is Ozone and what does it do?
Unlike many terms in the world of science, ozone is a word almost everyone knows. Some know that it creates that fresh feeling after a storm. Others remember that aerosols and refrigerants put a hole in the Ozone layer. But, very few people know what it really is and does to airborne particles. Ozone, whether created by a machine, a thunderstorm, or by the sun’s rays… is a molecule comprising three oxygen atoms. O2 is the oxygen that makes life possible for us humans, two atoms of oxygen are very important. Sometimes a third oxygen atom is present creating (O3) ozone, and it can detach from the O3 molecule, and cling to others, changing their chemical composition and weight. It is this ability that gives an ozone generator the ability to strip contaminants of any size from the air.
How does an Ozone Generator Work?
Replicating a process found in nature can be very complex. The sun and lightning are insanely powerful. So, creating ozone must be very difficult and technical, right? Well, sorry to disappoint… it’s actually very straightforward and to some extent, easy to do. Ozone generating machines, for the most part, suck in air which and pass it through an electrical charge. Kind of like lighting. After that, the air exits the machine with O3 molecules instead of plain old O2. Those ozone molecules are then free to deploy their extra oxygen molecule to neutralize contaminants. Maybe it’s an airborne virus, or mold spore, or smoke. Whatever it is when that ozone molecule finds it; game over.
1. Enerzen Commercial Ozone Generator
Small and compact the Enerzen air purifier can be used virtually anywhere to eliminate odors! It’s lightweight and portable, weighing in just under 6 pounds. And that isn’t the only reason this ozone generator should be your go to purchase. If you are worried about mold or fungus growth this machine will both control and remove those contaminants from your home. Its built-in timer will allow you to set up this little machine at home while you are away and return to odor free air. But, what is best about this model is its eco-friendly design which ends up saving you bundles on your energy bill. The ultra-low energy use combined with its still powerful deodorizer works to save you time and money all while removing any dangerous fumes and irritants. Use this machine to remove cigarette smells, pet odors, dust, painting fumes and more!
There are only two things to note about this little generator, the cord to plug it in is only 5 feet long and that after extensive use the unit will still function but develops a loud buzzing noise. That being said, for such a fantastic price, the quality of this long lasting unit is definitely worth the investment.
3. OdorStop Ozone Generators
Odor Stop makes great machines that cover a wide range of uses. From their affordable unit for small spaces, the OS600UV, to their wheeled OS12500 these guys have a generator for everyone. Over a dozen in total.
With that many machines you might wonder what differentiates each model. The biggest differences are in number of plates, UV bulbs, and ozone output. Single plate models are the smaller machines sized for area smaller than 2000 feet. Aside from the OS600’s the easy way to tell how many plates are included is to look at the first number after “OS” in the model designations.
That means a OS4500 would have four plates while a OS2500 would offer two. Any model with “UV” after the numbers includes either one, or two UV lamps to help kill bacteria and such. Though we’d recommend opting for the non-UV models.
With a heavy duty aluminum body and excellent fit and finish, it’s hard to go wrong with OdorStop. They even come with a five year warranty.
3. Green Air Purifiers Classic Alpine Ozone Generator
We love this ozone generator because of its power, extensive reach, and easy programming. Filters are easy to access and are washable for in between jobs, and the company even goes so far to include a free extra carbon filter to make sure that all your rooms are odor free. With an inner PCO cell even small microns that hold the nasty smells haunting your home, office, or car, are sucked through and eliminated.
If you are suffering from asthma or allergies then the sterilizing function on this machine will get rid of up to 99% of mold spores, mildew, and other airborne germs for spaces as large as 3,500 square feet. If taken care of, which is easy to do, these units can last for years and years!
This unit also has a timer to turn on your machine when you leave the home. As with all ozone generators, you do not want to have it on in the room with you as it can cause eye irritation and breathing problems. The only complaint on this machine is to be sure that you are not in the room while running, as it is very powerful!
4. Ozone Power OP4000 Commercial Air Ozone Generator
Looking for a professional strength system to eliminate smoke and odors for up to 4,000 square feet? This machine may seem too small for such strong results but it can create fresh air in as little as 30 minutes for small spaces. A whole house will only take about 100 minutes, and with a 2-hour timer function you can leave it on and come back later to enjoy the fresh air. If you are looking for a bigger space, and need more than 2 hours, then there is an always-on button that you can use. This unit can be used virtually anywhere, as long as you have an 110V power source this generator removes odors of all kinds in your home, apartment, and cars.
Some customers discuss needing to do more than one treatment in a room to make sure that the odors continue to be eliminated. That being said they all still rate the machine very high for both its price and abilities. This machine is easy to use, and with enough treatments can solve even your most challenging odors.
5. Best Choice Products SKY1057
Looking for a more attractive option without giving up any of the effectiveness the other machines have to offer? The SKY1057 with its solid cherry wood colored cabinetry is the fantastic option! This machine will help create the natural balance of positive and negative ions in your air to help reduce the number of airborne irritants. In addition, the machine is incredibly quiet and works quickly to remove dust and smells.
So what is the con to this machine? Some customers complain that the ozone function works almost a little too well. Even at it’s the lowest setting an odor can be produced if there is too much ozone, and after a quick 20 minutes you could find yourself with a new type of smell. However, if you buy a timer, you can make sure that your ozone setting shuts off in intervals that are appropriate for your house.
6. Breathe Fresh 5-in-1 Air Purifier
With its built in UV sterilizer, this machine will not only reduce any allergens in the air but also kills any airborne germs and viruses. You can reduce odors, purify the air, and at 180 mg ozone/hour, you can create the sensation of fresh, clean air. It’s LCD display is perhaps what is most unique. It gives a new modern look that is easy to set both a digital timer and clock. You can also run this machine via a remote control. Unlike most machines, it has a safety switch that will indicate when you need new filters for the cleanest air. Whether you are looking to help out your allergies or trying to rid your home of smoking or paint fumes then this machine will do it all and more.
Final Thoughts
Eliminating any pesky odors from your home, car, or office becomes incredibly simple with the purchase of an ozone generator. Available on the market now, there is already the perfect machine for your home, you can have a modern and sleek generator or a classic wooden aesthetic.
Regardless, each product comes with unique benefits, some are low energy and low cost with few programmable features, while others have many features, use more energy, but also cleanse more of your home. No matter what, you can have fresh air, free of dangerous allergens, pollutants, and bacteria. Just make sure to fully read through the machine’s directions prior to use, especially when using the ozone generating features.