Filterless air purifiers offer the great benefits of a HEPA air purifier without needing regular and costly replacement filters.
Most filterless air purifiers use ionizers to increase the weight of particles in the air so they can be removed from the air. Ionizers were very popular in the early 2000s with the Sharper Image, eventually leading to a class action lawsuit due to poor performance and ozone emissions.
Due to the popularity of these ionizers, California required all portable air purifiers to meet ozone emission standards of 55 ppb to be CARB certified. This means that all ionizers sold have much lower levels of ozone emissions.
While modern electronic air purifiers (those that use ionizers, electrostatic precipitators, PCOs, hydroxyl generators, UV-C. etc.) no longer release large amounts of ozone, they still create some ozone as a byproduct.
This is why we recommend ozone-free air purifiers that use HEPA and activated charcoal, as they have zero byproducts and are backed up by decades of research.
While we recommend most consumers look at air purifiers that use mechanical filter technology which means they are ozone-free, we still researched to identify what are the current best filterless air purifiers on the market right now for those consumers who don’t want to replace filters.
The top 3 filterless air purifiers
We’ve put our top three choices of filterless air purifiers in this handy table to save you some time if you don’t want to read the full article.
| 👑 BEST OVERALL | 💰 FOR TIGHT BUDGETS | 🛋️ FOR LARGE SPACES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwave OxyPure ZERO | Envion Ionic Elite – TA750 | Germ Guardian GG1000 | |
 |  |  | |
| CADR 👩🔬 | 266 CFM (451 m³/h) | 94.8 CFM (161 m³/h) | Not Available |
| FILTER TECHNOLOGY 💨 | 20 years | No Filter | No Filter |
| MAX ROOM SIZE 📏 | 412 sq. ft. | 412 sq. ft. | 56 sq. ft. |
| WEIGHT ⚖️ | 21.6 lbs (9.79 kg) | 8 lbs (3.62 kg) | 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) |
| PRICE 💵 | $399.99 | $236.43 | $39.99 |
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Best long term filter: Nuwave OxyPure ZERO
With a CADR of 266 CFM, this new air purifier from NuWave brings a four-stage filtration system with washable filters that will last up to 20 years. So while it still uses filters, they won’t need to be replaced soon.
It does utilize an ionizer, and according to its Energy Star certification, it releases ozone of 1 ppb. While I recommend choosing a standard air purifier that uses replaceable filters, if you are looking never to buy filters for 20 years, this air purifier from Nuwave still does an excellent job with cleaning.
What we really like
What we think could be better
SPECS & FEATURES
| Air purifier technology: | HEPA type (Bio Guard) |
| Recommended room size: | 412 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 266 CFM (451 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 12″D x 13.5″W x 22.75″H |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 21.6 lbs (9.79 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 21.4 – 48.8 dB |
| Filter life: | 20 years |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 3 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $40 per year |
2. Best filterless: Envion Ionic Elite – TA750
If you loved the original Sharper Image Ionizer, then the Ionic Elite from Boneco might be the unit you will want to replace it with. Unlike the Sharper Image ionizer, this only produces ozone of 2 ppb. Unfortunately, it’s currently unavailable in California.
This unit has no filters. A pure ion generator attracts particles to the electrostatic plates that you must wipe down every few weeks to keep performance levels high.
While the CADR is a little low for the price, the technology means you won’t have to worry about buying new filters. Like the Sharper Image ionizer, this runs quietly and won’t cost much in electricity costing just over $6 to run for a year.
What we really like
What we think could be better
SPECS & FEATURES
| Air purifier technology: | Ion Generator, Fan with Electrostatic Plates |
| Recommended room size: | 412 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 94.8 CFM (161 m³/h) |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 7.56 x 6.46 x 25.7 inches |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 8 lbs (3.62 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | Up to 55 dB |
| Filter life: | No Filter |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $6.6 per year |
3. Best air santizier: Germ Guardian GG1000
This air purifier from Germ Guardian is actually an air sanitizer, as it’s only aimed at removing odors from the air. It can not remove any particulate matter.
It uses a UV-C bulb that will need replacing every 10-212 months and costs $9.99, a long-term cost to be aware of.
This air sanitizer is designed to be plugged into a kitchen or bathroom, and the UV-C will interact with bacteria, mold or viruses in the air. Be aware that you will likely need more air-cleaning devices if your room is larger than the recommended 56 sq. ft.
What we really like
What we think could be better
SPECS & FEATURES
| Air purifier technology: | UV-C bulb |
| Recommended room size: | 56 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | Not Provided |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 3″D x 4″W x 7.48″H |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 0.00 dB |
| Filter life: | Bulb needs replacing every 6-8 months |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 1 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $6.31 per year |
4. Best for mold: Airfree Tulip 80
AirFree has patented its own air purifier technology called Thermodynamic Sterilization System or TSS, which uses heat to kill airborne particles. The AHAM hasn’t tested it, so we wouldn’t be confident about its ability to remove standard particulate matter. However, it could be interesting for those wanting to sterilize the air in a room, such as those with high mold levels.
It sounds too good to be true, but Airfree shares many academic studies that showed this technology could reduce viral load and odors.
As this technology doesn’t need a large fan, the unit has a small footprint, won’t take over the room and is close to silent when running. Just be aware that this technology will not help remove particles from the air; leave this to devices that use HEPA filters.
What we really like
What we think could be better
SPECS & FEATURES
| Air purifier technology: | TSS (Thermodynamic Sterilization System) |
| Recommended room size: | 450 sq. ft. |
| Clean air delivery rate (CADR): | 0 CFM Not tested by AHAM |
| Dimensions (in inches / in cm): | 5.7″D x 5.7″W x 13.3″H |
| Weight (in pounds / in kg): | 2.42 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Noise level (low – high): | 0 dB |
| Filter life: | TSS doesn’t need replacing |
| Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 year |
| Estimated energy consumption: | $46.25 per year |
FAQs about filterless air purifiers
Filterless air purifiers that use technology like electrostatic, PCOs and Ionizers can remove particulate matter from the air. Still, they have downsides as they use chemical reactions that can create harmful byproducts like ozone.
UV stands for ultraviolet and is the third most potent wavelength within the electromagnetic spectrum behind x-rays and gamma rays.
UV is also used in black-light applications and naturally emits from the sun’s rays. UV-C is a variation of ultraviolet light and its waveform energy is ideal for sanitizing germs within the germicidal wavelength zone.
A few technologies, such as TSS or UV C, can clean indoor air without a filter. With TSS, air heated to 400 degrees inside the unit neutralizes harmful particles as they pass through the unit and back into the room.
A specialized bulb emits ultraviolet light with UV C that eliminates germs and other airborne pathogens as room air circulates through the cleaner.
Wrapping up
I will repeat what I said in the intro and suggest that most homeowners are better off with a standard HEPA air purifier.
But those who find filter costs are stopping them from buying an air purifier should check out the Nuwave air purifier, which has no filter costs for 20 years.
For those who want to kill bacteria and viruses, it’s worth checking out the TSS devices from Airfree. If you want to deal with odors cheaply, look at the pluggable UV-C devices from Germ Guardian.
Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
