Shopping for an ozone generator?
Good-quality air in your home is crucial for the general well-being and health of you and your family. If you have an issue with odors and contaminated air, investing in an ozone generator is one of the best options. It can significantly help improve your indoor air quality.
These exceptional devices have been scientifically proven to completely eliminate mold and cigarette odor from the area they are placed in.
An ozone generator is a type of air filter that cleans the air in an enclosed space by using ozone. Such units are highly efficient in getting rid of unpleasant odors. There is anextensively wide range of ozone generators available that can improve air quality within minutes.
Fresh and crisp air not only keeps you healthy but also enhances your productivity and performance, improves your mood, and helps you sleep better.
But before choosing a model, it is vital to understand that the market offers a wide variety of ozone generators, ranging from small to commercial sizes, that deliver different performance results. Therefore, it is best to have in-depth knowledge about these devices to ensure that you find a generator that best suits you and your needs.
Our Top 3 Picks
- Durable 304-grade stainless steel case
- Ozone output of 10,000 mg/h
- 20,000-hour service life
- Ideal travel size combination of ozone generator and UV air cleaner
- Revolutionary design
- Lightweight and compact
- 40% larger fans
- Ergonomic folding handle
- Washable stainless steel filter
What's In This Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Ozone generators are powerful devices that not only deodorize but also eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses. They offer a high-tech cleaning solution for your home, office, or commercial building.
In this buying guide, we have not only included the reviews of some of the top models available but have also discussed in detail the pros and cons of these devices, the features you should consider when choosing a model, and what we think is the best ozone generator available.
So read on to learn about these outstanding machines so that you can easily pick the best option according to your requirements.
Best Ozone Generators
- 1. Best overall: Airthereal Digital Ozone Generator
- 2. Best for cars and RVs: OdorStop Professional Grade Mini Ozone Generator
- 3. Best for small spaces: Enerzen Ozone Generator
Airthereal Digital Ozone Generator
Award
Best OverallCoverage area
2,000+ sq. ftOzone output
10,000 mg/hUnit dimensions
7.1 x 9.3 x 6.8 inchTimer
Yes
OdorStop Professional Grade Mini Ozone Generator
Award
Best for cars and RVsCoverage area
600+ sq. ftOzone output
300 mg/hUnit dimensions
12.5 x 9 x 7.5 inchesTimer
Yes
Enerzen Ozone Generator
Award
Best for small spacesCoverage area
1,250 sq. ft.Ozone output
6,000 mg/hUnit dimensions
7 x 8 x 6.5 inchTimer
Yes
One of the most efficient ozone generators from Airthereal, the MA10K-PRODIGI, features a ceramic honeycomb plate that delivers an impressive service life of 20,000 hours.
You can use it in the kitchen, hotels, hospitals, offices, homes, and clinics to eliminate pet odors, mold spores, musty smells, smoke, pollen, viruses, bacteria, and chemical odors.
PROS
- Maximum output of 10,000 mg/h makes it suitable for large areas
- Produces a powerful deodorizing agent to get rid of lingering odors
- User-friendly design with just five buttons on the control panel
- LED display on the front makes it easy to adjust the timer
- The upgraded timer allows the generator to run for 12 hours to eliminate the nastiest smells
- 3-year warranty
CONS
- A bit expensive
Features
- Durable 304-grade stainless steel case
- Ozone output of 10,000 mg/h
- 20,000-hour service life
- Removes odor and prevents mold formation
- Anti-corrosive and easy to clean
- Easy-to-read LED display in the front
Our Review
This Airthereal ozone generator is one of the most powerful devices available. It has a power capacity of 10,000 mg/h, which allows it to clean the air in an average room in less than half an hour. It features five buttons on the control panel that makes it easier to set up the generator in just seconds.
The automatic program feature allows you to set up the device to work for half an hour after an interval of 12 or 24 hours, eliminating the need to set it manually. This ozone generator does an outstanding job of eliminating numerous household odors.
Equipped with a timer, this model is very easy to operate. Its durable construction ensures that this unit will serve you for a long time. It requires minimal maintenance, and it is very simple to clean its plates. Moreover, it comes with a 3-year warranty.
One of the smaller units on our list, the OdorStop Professional, is designed for car, truck, and RV odor and mold removal.
It is an excellent pick for restoration professionals, automotive dealers, as well as general consumers who want to rid their vehicles of bacteria, stubborn odors, and mold.
PROS
- Can efficiently clean an area of 600 sq. ft.
- You can turn off ozone completely
- Charcoal filter and UV-C bulb can function without using ozone to get rid of odors
- Ideal for frequent travelers or the elderly
- 5-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee
CONS
- May not get rid of the musty smell from cars
Features
- Ideal travel size combination of ozone generator and UV air cleaner
- Revolutionary design
- Lightweight and compact
- Two-hour timer with a ‘hold’ option
- You can use it in occupied spaces
- Extra-large fan vent
- High-quality aluminum housing
Our Review
You can safely use this innovative OdorStop professional-grade mini ozone generator in occupied spaces. It is designed with a single ozone plate, charcoal filter, and a UV-C bulb.
You can easily turn off ozone emissions with a button and use the charcoal filter and the UV-C bulb to kill bacteria and get rid of odors in a room or a car without bothering its occupants.
This breakthrough model is convenient for people who are on the road a lot as well as the elderly. It also features a 2-hour timer with a hold option, easy maintenance, and a compact design. It also comes with a long 5-year warranty to promote customer confidence.
The Enerzen ozone generator is capable of dealing with the toughest odors such as cigarette and cigar smoke, paint fumes, dust, cooking odors, pet odors, mold, and more.
This professional-grade O3 generator and purifier has an ozone output of 6000mg/h, making it an excellent fit for a small room, RV, office, garage, or automotive use.
PROS
- Economical and easy to use
- Lightweight unit designed with a handle for simple transportation
- Industrial-grade aluminum alloy case
- Durable
- An efficient circuit board regulates ozone output and fan speed
- Three-year warranty
CONS
- Short five-foot cord
- Loud operation
Features
- Can cover areas up to 5,200 Sq. ft
- Ergonomic folding handle
- Washable stainless steel filter
- 6,000 mg per hour ozone output
- 180-minute timer with a hold function
Our Review
The Enerzen Ozone Generatoris a no-frills machine with a compact design. It weighs merely five pounds which makes it very easy to transport. It has an ozone output of 6,000 mg/h and can be used in homes, offices, cars, boats, garages, warehouses, and in just about any space, small or large.
Unlike other generators that only mask odors after the treatment, the Enerzen completely eliminates odors. Its energy-conscious design ensures ultra-low energy usage.
It has a durable metal casing and is designed with a timer that can be set for up to three hours. Furthermore, it has a hold setting that ensures continued ozone generation without the risk of shutoff.
This user-friendly unit is equipped with steel filters that make maintenance easy. Moreover, the ceramic plates that handle ozone generation are owner-serviceable.
Ozone Generator Buying Guide
What is an ozone generator, and how does it work?
Most people wonder how ozone can be used to clean the air in homes and workplaces. Typically, ozone generators achieve this goal by utilizing the silent corona discharge method.
In order to produce ozone, you need a machine that features dust filters, a generator, a contact unit, an air dryer, and a torch destructor, as well as a source of oxygen.
An ozone generator creates an electrical discharge that resembles lighting, thus splitting oxygen molecules into single atoms. Single O atoms connect to O2 to create O3, which is then discharged into the room.
When ozone molecules interact with other molecules like viruses, bacteria, and other air contaminants, they break them down through oxidation. These generators are particularly useful in eradicating odor-causing particles. Moreover, they are capable of dealing with mildew and mold.
When you create ozone with the Corona Discharge Method, Nitrogen Oxide is also generated as a byproduct. This Nitrogen Oxide turns into vapor at room temperature and becomes Nitric Acid that is harmful to our health.
As a result, you can experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, headaches, chest pains, and a burning sensation throughout the respiratory system.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure that no living being enters the room within two hours of an ozone treatment to avoid any interaction with this highly hazardous substance.
But how can you tell if the ozone generator has done its job? Well, you will know if the machine has been working simply by inhaling the air in the room. It will have that same fresh and crisp scent typically associated with the air you smell after it rains.
Why buy an ozone generator vs. other Air purifiers?
An ozone generator purifies the air inside your home in a number of ways to ensure you breathe clean and fresh air. It cleans the air of dust particles, unpleasant mildew and mold, odors, smoke, and pet stenches.
Places that are musty from neglect, such as the basement or rooms that cigarette smokers often use, can also be treated with an ozone generator to remove airborne contaminants and odors.
If a room in your home faces harsh odors, you will try anything to eliminate them. Most of the methods usually tried are either too expensive, not sufficient, or too drastic.
For example, many people throw out their furniture and fabrics if they are unable to get the odor out of them. Obviously, this method is quite expensive and not a feasible one.
Ozone generators provide people with an excellent solution to their odor problem. Now let’s compare the various air purifiers with an ozone generator in order to understand how each device performs.
Ozone generator vs. air purifier with activated carbon filters
Many homeowners use air purifiers with activated carbon to deal with kitchen odor. These machines efficiently filter out odors during or right after cooking. However, they are designed only to work with the contaminants in the air and cannot make the fabric free from odors.
An ozone generator, on the other hand, attacks all odor molecules to eliminate them immediately. Odor-causing bacteria do not stand a chance against an ozone generator as it is an excellent odor eliminator for not only households but also commercial facilities.
These generators show exceptional performance against cigarette smoke, sweat, food, mildew, skunk, ‘locker-room’ smells, mold, and many more.
Ozone generator vs. ionizer
An ozone generator and an ionizer are two totally different machines. When you use an ionizer in the room, it attaches negatively charged contaminants to positively charged ions in the air.
As a result, particles become heavy, and either fall down, making it easier to clean them with a wet cloth or are processed by the air purifier.
Ionizers do produce a small amount of ozone; however, it is not enough to get rid of odors. Moreover, ionizers are safe to use in rooms with plants, pets, and people. Although ozone generators are highly efficient in cleaning the air and removing odors, they cannot be used around pets and people.
What to look for in an ozone generator
Ozone generators are versatile machines that correspond to varying quality levels and have different price points. Although your budget is a major consideration in deciding which model will suit you best, it is also essential to make a decision after taking into account its design, functionality, and features.
Following are some considerations that you should keep in mind when choosing an ozone generator:
Type
The different types of ozone generators that you will come across include:
Ultraviolet
These generators are the least expensive and the least efficient as well. They split oxygen molecules with UV light to create ozone.
These types of generators take comparatively more power and time to create a very small amount of ozone, making them unsuitable for larger spaces. However, they are a good option for bedrooms, small offices, and hotel rooms.
Corona discharge
Despite their unfortunate name, these generators are powerful and efficient, making them suitable for large places. Ozone generators work by splitting oxygen molecules with the help of an electric current.
The oxygen molecules in a room are split into single atoms, which then recombine instantly to produce ozone gas. However, there is a disadvantage to this type of generator. It produces large amounts of heat because it needs a lot of energy to create such a powerful electric current.
Cold plasma
These types of generators use cold plasma to split oxygen molecules. They work in the same way as corona discharge generators and create the same amount of ozone without producing too much heat. However, they are more expensive and bulky compared to other ozone generators.
Electrolytic
Suitable for water treatment, this generator is used to split oxygen molecules present in the water to create ozone. Chemical treatments remain in the water, while ozone water treatment turns into oxygen; hence, there is no harmful residue.
Size and weight
Ozone generators are typically small and weigh less than seven pounds, ranging in size from wallet-size to just about the size of a toaster.
Their compact size makes it easier for them to fit discreetly in most rooms. They can also function efficiently in smaller spaces like car interiors.
In addition, their small profile makes them highly portable. You can move them easily from room to room or even take them with you when you are traveling.
Operating costs
In addition to the cost of electricity, operating costs include replacing filters, ceramic ozone plates, UV bulbs, and charcoal media. Make sure that these parts are readily available and not too expensive when you choose a model.
Ozone output
The capability of an ozone generator to produce ozone gas is typically measured in milligrams per hour (mg/hr). A generator with a higher output can treat a larger space.
A good-quality ozone generator can produce about 350 mg of ozone per hour, while industrial-size models can create as much as 12,000 mg/hr.
Generators with low output are ideal for individual rooms, offices, and other small spaces, while commercial spaces like hotel lobbies need larger generators to be effective.
You can also use high-output generators in small rooms for a shorter period to ‘shock’ the area. This helps to sanitize the room in less than an hour.
Portability
Portable ozone generators are favorable for both home and travel. Some smaller models weigh as little as seven ounces and are not bigger than a smartphone in size. They feature ergonomic handles, are compact, and use standard 115-volt outlets.
It is very easy to move such units from room to room in your home or use them in hotel rooms.
Features
Most ozone generators are designed with several features that make it easier and safer to operate them. It is best to choose a model equipped with a fan that evenly distributes the ozone gas and output control.
It should have a timer as it makes it easier to control its operation. Some units also come with a remote control that allows users to operate the generator from afar. Moreover, multifunction ozone generators feature filters that help remove allergens and dust from the air.
Safety
Ozone generators, if misused, can be hazardous for your health. Ozone gas is a pollutant, and exposure to it can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, throat irritation, and coughing. It can also worsen respiratory infections and asthma.
That is why it is essential not to have anybody around it when it’s running.
Ozone generators are designed with timers that allow users to turn them on and off at specified times, eliminating the need to turn them off manually. Once the generator completes its cycle, it is best to wait an hour for the ozone to dissipate entirely before reentering the room.
However, some newer models can be used while people or animals are present in the same space as the generator. Make sure that you check the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer before choosing a model.
If you want to use the ozone generator while a room is occupied, make sure that you choose a model suitable for such type of use.
Limitations
According to health experts, exposure of a person or a pet to high ozone levels can cause eye, nose, lung, and throat irritation, serious respiratory ailments, shortness of breath, and cough. It can kill live plants and is also harmful to pets, particularly birds.
Moreover, ozone generators are ineffective in killing mold and bacteria in materials like ceiling tiles and air conditioning duct lining.
Cleaning and Maintenance
It is vital to periodically clean the ozone plates to ensure the smooth operation of an ozone generator. Moreover, it helps to extend the lifespan of these machines. Most of these generators are designed to make it easy for users to remove the plates themselves.
You should clean the ozone plates at least once every three or four months. However, you should clean them more often if your home experiences a lot of cigarette smoke or other odors.
Just slide the plates out of the ozone generator and clean them using bleach or detergent. Make sure they are completely dry before reinstalling them.
Sometimes, these devices can develop problems such as the ozone leaking or the generator not working altogether. However, in most cases, the repairs are quite simple and quick.
If you suspect your ozone generator to be leaking gas, you should get it repaired immediately to protect yourself and your family from the toxic side effects of ozone.
Final Verdict: What is the best ozone generator and why?
We find the Airthereal MA10K-PRODIGI to be the best generator from all the options that we have reviewed in this guide as it efficiently helps to fight odors and other contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, pet smells, cigarette smoke, and more.
It is constructed from durable materials to ensure a long service life, cleans a 200 sq. room in a span of just 10 minutes, and comes with acomprehensive three-year warranty to ensure customer satisfaction.
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
