An Air Cleaner That Does Little Cleaning

Our latest tests show that the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Professional with OzoneGuard is as ineffective as earlier versions and, unlike most room air cleaners, emits ozone as a byproduct. Based on its poor performance, we do not recommend it.

Sharper Image began offering its Professional Series air cleaners with the new OzoneGuard catalyst in July 2005 as Consumer Products Magazine' October report on air cleaners went to press. Our air-cleaning tests show that the Ionic Breeze with OzoneGuard does a poor job of removing smoke, dust, and pollen particles from the air when new and after 500 hours of continuous use. We consider any air cleaner with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of under 100 to be ineffective; CADR values for the Ionic Breeze were consistently in the 20s for dust and smoke and in the 30s for pollen. Indeed, our highest-rated air cleaner removed particles from the air roughly 20 times faster than the Ionic Breeze Professional.

Ozone is also a concern, especially for people with asthma and respiratory allergies, which ozone can aggravate. While earlier versions of the Ionic Breeze significantly exceeded the ozone limit in the voluntary, industry-standard Underwriters Laboratory test, the Ionic Breeze with OzoneGuard still adds ozone to the air, measuring just within the test limit.

The bottom line: The Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Professional with OzoneGuard does little to clean the air. If you own one, try returning it for a refund.

For additional information on the Ionic Breeze, please visit the following:

1. Air Purifier Reviews for Allergies and Asthma
2. Test results on the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze
3. Health Hazards of Ozone-generating air cleaners
4. Class-action status sought in Sharper Image lawsuit
5. Scientific Evidence on Ineffectiveness of 'Ionic Breeze'
6. Air purifier price to performance comparison

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